Democrats Threaten Republicans Regarding Filibuster Consequences

Politics - Reuters
Democrats Issue Warning on Bush Judicial Nominees
Tue Mar 15, 9:01 PM ET
Politics - Reuters
By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats on Tuesday threatened to slow down the U.S. Senate if Republicans outlaw procedural hurdles that have been used to block President Bush (news - web sites)'s most controversial judicial nominees.

Changing the rules unilaterally would be "an unprecedented abuse of power," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid charged in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

Reid said he and fellow Democrats would retaliate selectively and permit swift action on urgent measures, but stall others.

Democrats could disrupt the Senate by denying Republicans unanimous consent agreements long used to routinely expedite Senate hearings, debates and votes.

"To shut down the Senate would be irresponsible and partisan," Frist, a Tennessee Republican, fired back. "The solution is simple: Return to 200 years of tradition and allow up-or-down votes on judges."

Reid, of Nevada, had earlier warned that Democrats would retaliate if Republicans changed the rules. But on Tuesday, with the possibility mounting, he put it writing.

Flanked by fellow Senate Democrats on the Capitol steps, Reid also declared, "Our Constitution provides for checks and balances so that no one person in power -- so that no one political party -- can hold total control over the course of our nation."

Speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee dinner on Tuesday, Bush said, "my judicial nominees deserve an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate."

Republicans control the Senate with 55 of the 100 seats. But 60 votes are needed to end procedural roadblocks known as filibusters.

During Bush's first term, Democrats filibustered 10 of the Republican president's appeals court nominees, whom critics cast as "right-wing extremists."

Bush, who won a second term in November, has renominated seven of them. Republicans have threatened to ban filibusters unless Democrats allow confirmation votes on all nominees.

It would take 51 votes in the Senate to outlaw filibusters, but it is unclear if Republicans could muster such support.

SOME REPUBLICANS CONCERNED
Though many Republicans have expressed support for "the nuclear option" -- so named because of the destruction it could cause -- others have voiced concern that the change could haunt them in a future Democratic-led Senate and jeopardize key legislation.

Frist said in his statement, "I am committed to getting the work of the American people done in the Senate, which includes advice and consent on the president's judicial nominations as outlined in the Constitution."

Democrats have accused Republicans of falsely claiming that filibusters have caused a crisis, noting 204 of Bush's other judicial nominees have won Senate confirmation.

Reid, in his letter to Frist, said, "Should the majority choose to break the rules" to ban filibusters on judicial nominees "the majority should not expect to receive cooperation from the minority in the conduct of Senate business."

"Democrats will continue to work with you to enact legislation supporting our troops and other legislation needed to ensure the ongoing operations of the federal government," Reid wrote.

"Beyond that we will be reluctant to enter any consent agreement that facilitates Senate activities."