GOP threatens Senate shutdown

“I think the backlash will be severe,” said Sen. Tom Coburn of Sen. Harry Reid's possible filibuster reform

Published November 26, 2012 2:27PM (EST)

 Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.             (Facebook/teamcoburn)
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. (Facebook/teamcoburn)

If Harry Reid tries to stop Senate Republicans from blocking everything, Senate Republicans will...try to block him.

Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, is pushing to reform the filibuster, but is facing opposition from Republicans. “I think the backlash will be severe,” Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said of Reid's plan. “If you take away minority rights, which is what you’re doing because you’re an ineffective leader, you’ll destroy the place. And if you destroy the place, we’ll do what we have to do to fight back.”

From Politico:

Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering: banning filibusters used to prevent debate from even starting and House-Senate conference committees from ever meeting. He also may make filibusters become actual filibusters — to force senators to carry out the nonstop, talkathon sessions.

“It will shut down the Senate,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Politico. “It’s such an abuse of power.”

 

 

 


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Filibuster Harry Reid John Cornyn Republicans Tom Coburn U.s. Senate