Senate Repug Frist threatens to strip Dems of fillibuster option

[Grimmlok]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday he is prepared to strip Democrats of their ability to filibuster, if they try to stall Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

"The answer is yes," Frist said when asked if he would act to change Senate procedures to restrict a Democratic filibuster. "Supreme Court justice nominees deserve an up-or-down vote, and it would be absolutely wrong to deny him that."

Democrats immediately called Frist's words unhelpful and potentially incendiary. They said Senate Democrats are waiting for the Judiciary Committee to act on Alito's nomination before they decide what they may do.

"Sen. Frist has thrown down the gauntlet at a time when the country least needs it," said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee. "The American people know that checks and balances are an integral part of our government."

In recent weeks Senate Democrats have questioned whether Alito, a federal appeals court judge, has the proper judicial temperament and ideology to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Some have said that Alito's views on issues such as voting rights and abortion could provoke a filibuster unless he allays their concerns about his commitment to civil rights. Alito's confirmation hearings begin January 9 before the committee.

Frist, a Tennessee Republican, said Alito is qualified for the high court, noting that Alito was confirmed by the Senate for the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Sam Alito, who has a modest judicial temperament ... is someone who deserves advice and consent by the Senate," Frist told "Fox News Sunday."

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, the Democrat from Nevada, said in an interview that senators should be debating Alito's qualifications on their merits rather than speculating about the possibility of a filibuster.

But, he added, once the committee acts, "all procedural options are on the table. But we are months away from facing these kinds of decisions."

The filibuster is a parliamentary tactic whereby senators use their right to virtually unlimited debate to block measures, legislation or nominations. It takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster.

Passing a bill or confirming a nominee requires a simple majority -- 51 senators if all 100 senators are present. The vice president can break 50-50 ties.

Under Frist's scenario, the GOP would seek a parliamentary ruling that declares filibusters are not permitted against judicial nominees. That ruling ultimately would go before the full Senate for a vote, with a simple majority required to prevail. Republicans hold 55 seats.

If that plays out, it then would take a majority of senators present to vote to approve a nominee such as Alito.

Such a move carries great risk. Democrats have threatened to retaliate with a fight that could snarl Senate business for months. It could also backfire on Republicans, if they were to lose majority control of the chamber.

Wahhhh things might not go your way so you're trying to re-write the rules? WAHhh stamp your feet, you fuckbag.

[Tsarina]

and a filibuster ISN'T stamping your feet and whining?? I hate ALL politicians personally and more and more each day......

[Grimmlok]

The filibuster is a check and balance.. you can't just do away with them because you don't get your way.. if you did that, you'd have a government that could do whatever it wanted.. fascism.

[Sojiita]

There must be a ton of nutjobs with guns in Tennessee...You would think at least one of then could get a few shots off when Frist gets back there.

[buttmunch]

This one is soooo going to come back and bite them in the ass.