More thoughtful reader reactions to the filibuster rule change and the email we posted earlier from a Senate staffer defending the modest reforms: Read More
“If you want to keep people away in an earthquake, buy some shotgun shells.“
Senate Democrats emerged a short time ago from a caucus meeting on the Hill and, for the most part, rallied around the filibuster reform deal Harry Reid struck with Mitch McConnell.
Readers respond to the Senate staffer email I published earlier: Read More
A Senate staffer emails with his take on the filibuster rules change agreed to by Reid and McConnell:
I think that your posture on rules reform — culminating in “Oh, that’s not good” — has not shown the other side of the argument for progressives.
All Senate Democrats agree that rules reform is essential. Now we appear to be on the brink of that, and the “fix the Senate crowd” is dismayed. Unlike last time Reid isn’t proposing just a “gentleman’s agreement,” these are real changes to Rule 22. And these appear to have minority support. This is a big deal.
You don’t agree (and it’s fine) but there is a strong, progressive case against pursuing rules reforms via the nuclear/constitutional option.
Got questions about the big filibuster reform debacle? Our reporter on the story, Sahil Kapur, will be answering your questions in a TPMPrime Live Chat at 4 PM eastern tomorrow afternoon. Get your questions in now and join us then.
Group opposed to the Electoral College calls Virginia GOP plan to reapportion electoral votes by congressional district “an incredibly unfair and indefensible proposal.”
John Kerry gives Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) a little bit of the what for, in today’s confirmation hearing.
With the debt ceiling crisis resolved for now, sequestration is the next big looming budget battle. But TPM Reader SP reports in on the effects he’s already seeing in the defense industry:
I’m a defense contractor supporting the Navy. I thought you’d be interested to hear that we’re feeling the effects of sequestration in advance of the actual event.