Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, NV) destroyed the Senate filibuster. Breaking Senate Rules to do so (it takes a two-thirds majority to change the rules), the Senate Democrats voted to eliminate the filibuster for Executive Branch and non-Supreme Court judicial nominees. The rule these Democrats violated? Rule XXII, which says in pertinent part [emphasis added]
…if that question [to suspend debate] shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn — except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting — then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
Of course, this is just the first step. These Democrats now will move quickly to the despotism of one-party rule.
Reid’s rationale? The Republicans had “unprecedentedly” filibustered President Barack Obama’s appellate court nominees.
Never mind that it was Reid’s Party of Jim Crow that invented the process and label of Borking judicial nominees with their shameful assault on the character of Judge Robert Bork when President Ronald Reagan nominated him to the Supreme Court. Not satisfied with simply blocking his confirmation, this Party chose to smear his character.
Recall, further, that this Party of Jim Crow also attempted, not merely to block confirmation, but to destroy with blatantly racist smears President George Bush the Elder’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas, an American of black heritage.
These Democrats, with this vote, have said to the minority party, “You refused repeatedly to do what your Betters instructed you to do; you kept objecting. Now we’ve cut out your voice. Sit down, and shut up.”
Remember this in the upcoming primaries and the fall election cycle.