Saturday, July 21, 2007
McClatchy notices the Republican Filibusters
And also notes the increasing number of Republican Filibusters.
This year Senate Republicans are threatening filibusters to block more legislation than ever before, a pattern that's rooted in — and could increase — the pettiness and dysfunction in Congress.It is all passing strange that the Republicans are so hot for Filibuster. We all know that Our Dear Embattled Leader will use his Amazing Preznitential Powers to ignore any law he does not like. Whatever the reason, it just means that the Republican party will be that much closer to oblivion come November 2008.
The trend has been evolving for 30 years. The reasons behind it are too complex to pin on one party. But it has been especially pronounced since the Democrats' razor-thin win in last year's election, giving them effectively a 51-49 Senate majority, and the Republicans' exile to the minority.
Seven months into the current two-year term, the Senate has held 42 "cloture" votes aimed at shutting off extended debate — filibusters, or sometimes only the threat of one — and moving to up-or-down votes on contested legislation....
....This year Republicans also have blocked votes on immigration legislation, a no-confidence resolution for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and major legislation dealing with energy, labor rights and prescription drugs.
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