The Nuclear Option: What It Really Means!

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by Dr Mark Bear

Folks, it appears the Senate Republicans invoked the nuclear option, changing the rules of the Senate forever. Let me break this down for each of you:

First, the Senate has always been considered the deliberative body – and to stand in complete anti-thesis to the hotheaded nature of the United States House of Representatives. The House always requires a mere majority, while the Senate has for the past several decades required a vote of 60 to confirm a nominee for the Supreme Court. It also was the requirement for 60 votes to be obtained for most – if not all – major legislation.

Second, the last time the rules were changed, Democrats did so, only because the Senate Republicans decided to obstruct any and all of the former President’s agenda, including his nominees for the federal bench, or in the most egregious example – Republicans simply refusing to provide a hearing, let alone meet with the former President’s pick for the Supreme Court. However, when Harry Reid implemented the nuclear option – as a courtesy and out of respect for the institution – they did not allow a simple majority to decide the fate of a Supreme Court Nominee, remaining to keep the vote threshold at 60.

Third, the old way – allowing a filibuster – provided the minority party in the Senate to voice their disapproval to a course of action, and blocked the Senate from gaining enough votes to get cloture; meaning the debate would be suspended on any matter and it subsequently voted upon. However, and again this must be clear, Republicans abused this rule by blocking through the filibuster any and all actions supported by the former President. Merrick Garland, a consensus candidate was not allowed a hearing, let alone the ability to meet with many republican senators due to their refusal. This action was taken today because Democrats did not believe – rightfully so – that Neil Gorsuch – was a qualified nominee to garner confirmation. As a result, the republicans led by Mitch McConnell decided to go “nuclear” by invoking this option.

Fourth, while McConnell has stated that this move will not extend to any legislative initiative, as a Democrat, not a single one of us should believe him. Case in point: When Harry Reid – while Senate Majority Leader – worked out the rules to the Senate under his term of leadership – McConnell agreed they would not abuse the filibuster. However, history shows he lied. So does John McCain who just said this week that changing the rules – at least the person who came up with the change – was an “idiot and stupid.” He voted to go nuclear today, which is why I say folks, we cannot trust a darned single one of them.

As an aside, “Five years ago, Mitch McConnell said he would not invoke the nuclear option for Supreme Court nominees. Back then, he called it “one of the most cherished safeguards of liberty in our government—the right of a political minority to have a voice.” Now he argues that doing so will actually be good for the Senate.” Can anyone say hypocrisy, but then again, what can one expect when the same man states, “his proudest moment in his political career was denying Garland a hearing and subsequently denying Obama an additional seat?”

Fifth, make no mistake folks: We knew this would happen if the Democratic lawmakers filibustered the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch. In other words, McConnell is so transparent a person that nobody should be surprised. Who should really be surprised are the stupid, inept, and idiotic Senators who supported going nuclear so they needed a mere 51 votes to get Gorsuch through the confirmation process. It is after all a lifetime appointment, which outlasts any administration. Now, should the “deliberative” body wish to jam anything else they want done, they can do so and no filibuster can take place. In other words, they have changed the way the Senate has worked for the previous several decades permanently.

Finally, remember this folks, especially those of you who find yourself disillusioned: THE PENDULUM OF POWER ALWAYS SWINGS BACK. We as Democrats will enjoy the same rule should we take control of the Senate back, but the problem and damage has already been done. In other words, these republicans just proved to ALL Americans, that they will use any means necessary to get what they want done; specifically, they will strong arm the rest of the Senate in order to achieve their goals.

If there is anything good about what just occurred, it is this latter point. If anything, at least our Party put up a real fight trying to keep one of the most controversial candidates off of the Supreme Court. I rather we fight while going down.

If one were to sum all of this up – the event which just took place – it could best be summarized as “Republicans are the party of ME, while Democrats are the party of WE.” Let’s never forget this vote which took place today folks and ensure we get our butts out to vote to ensure we get control of this Senate and House back in 2018.

This is a sad day for the United States Senate folks!

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Dr. Mark Bear
6 years ago

Michael,

Yes, they surely did, and what I do not understand is the plethora of people identifying as progressives or liberals who did not believe the Democrats should have filibustered. Arguments ranged from, “He is going to be confirmed anyhow,” to, “Now people in the electorate will say, ‘Look at those bad Democrats,'” however I do not buy it.

First, the polling data reflected before the past President left office – while Garland was put before the Republican led Senate – that nearly 70% felt that Republicans needed to give Garland a fair hearing at minimum. However the GOP Senators went so far as to not even meet with Garland, and decided the very same day he was put forth that they would in no way allow him to be put on the Bench.

Second, the next argument I heard persistently questioned the strategy and feared the next nomination would be worse. My response however was simple: “What guarantees did we have as a Democratic Party that had we allowed Gorsuch to be confirmed and disapproved of the next individual, that Senate Republicans would not institute the nuclear option on that go around.

Finally, still another argument was one that put forth the idea that “we had bigger fish to fry with the administration so we should just go forward. I see issues with each of these criticisms though, and remain thankful that the Democratic Party did try everything to block this guy. He is not qualified – in my opinion – due to his poor opinions and approach to jurisprudence. Also, I believe that the republicans placed themselves in a disadvantage since that pendulum does in fact, always swing back.

Reply to  Dr. Mark Bear
6 years ago

I never completely understood “progressive.” Is that like the Tea Party only on the Left? I am an independent, and would vote for a Republican if ever a good one came along.

Admin
6 years ago

Coincidentally this whole “nuclear option” is happening as I write this. The republicans have done away with over 200 years of tradition just to get Gorsuch approved.

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