Category Archives: political parties
“New Voting Rights Law Hinges on Some Less-Visible Republicans”
David Hawkins says it may be up to Reps. Sensenbrenner and Westmoreland in the House.
Rep. Westmoreland and I were strange bedfellows during the 2006 reauthorization, when the conservative Republican lawmaker offered the pro-active bailout amendment I was pushing to… Continue reading
The Chances of a Deal to Fix the VRA After Shelby County? Observations about the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
I had a chance to watch a good part of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today. It makes me more pessimistic about the chances of a deal to improve the Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court effectively gutted section… Continue reading
“The Senate that Senators Want”
Monkey Cage guest post from Eric Schickler and Greg Wawro:
Events in the Senate over the past few weeks offer two clear lessons. First, a simple majority in the Senate has the power – and indeed has long had the… Continue reading
“The Senate didn’t go nuclear. But, actually, it kind of did.”
Ezra Klein: “This will be the new normal. It will be the new normal under Democrats and then it will be the new normal under Republicans. The Senate stopped short of actually ending the filibuster against executive-branch nominations today. But… Continue reading
“Reid announces tentative deal to avert rules showdown”
The latest from WaPo.
“Senate’s Leader Sets Showdown Over Changes to Filibuster”
NYT:
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada took a defiant and uncompromising stand on Monday before a showdown on the future of the filibuster, saying that Republicans must stop blocking executive branch nominations or he will try to change rules… Continue reading
“Democrats: It’s the States, Stupid!”
Herman Schwartz:
Unless the Democrats wake up to the importance of winning state legislative elections, they are likely to remain a largely impotent minority in the House of Representatives and equally feeble in the state legislatures. The momentous Supreme… Continue reading
“Speak Softly….and Carry a Nuclear Stick”
Sarah Binder on the filibuster fight.
“Both Sides in Filibuster Fight See Twisting of Senate Rules”
“Reid-McConnell clash latest evidence that genteel Senate has turned into a fight club”
“A Day of Friction Notable Even for a Fractious Congress”
NYT:
Even in a Congress where bipartisanship and comity are now officially the exceptions to the regular order, the near implosion on Capitol Hill on Thursday was notable, as both chambers erupted in a furor that went on for much… Continue reading
“Carl Levin Can Save the Filibuster”
Filibuster Reform Coming?
NY Times: Democrats Poised to Limit Filibusters, Angering GOP
Ezra Klein: Mitch McConnell’s problem: How can he threaten to obstruct the Senate even more?
Jonathan Bernstein: Why Senate Reform is Needed