Senate Hits a New Low: McConnell Filibusters His Own Bill

The Minority Leader objects to himself

The Senate has finally plumbed the depths of dysfunction, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell filibustering his own bill.

(At least we hope these are the depths, because we wouldn't want to see things get any more broken.)

On Thursday McConnell came up with a cunning plan to score points off the Democrats. He thought he could prove that Democrats didn't actually have the votes to do something they claim to support, namely allow the president to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling.

McConnell proposed legislation that would allow the POTUS to bump up the debt ceiling at his discretion, unless Congress rustled up a 2/3 majority vote to stop him.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was against it at first, but after a quick head count decided that he had the 51 votes needed to pass the law, and called McConnell's bluff.

Since McConnell didn't actually want the legislation to pass, he was obliged to filibuster his own bill.

McConnell thus becomes one of the few senators ever to filibuster their own bills, as well as being the minority leader who has led the most filibusters ever.

Reid has promised to bring up the legislation again and try to force a vote.

Via Talking Points Memo. H/T Politix user PNWest.

What's your take on McConnell's strategy?

[DARSB]

Betcha Ashley Judd wouldn't have made that mistake. ;)

[FollowTheMoney]

So far Ashley's just a name. Who knows what she'll do if she buys in to the game.

[joyshusband]

I wonder if she could, from her home in Scotland.

[Denizen_Kate]

@joyshusband - Okay, let's put that poor horse to rest, shall we? She has a home in Scotland because that is where her husband is from. They don't live there full time, they don't spend all that much time there at all, since they both work in the U.S. Google it for yourself, but I think their primary home is in Tennessee.

[joyshusband]

@Denizen_Kate I know, I'm into racing, they do live in Tennessee, maybe she should run for office there instead of Kentucky?

[Denizen_Kate]

@joyshusband - So, why did you bring up the "home in Scotland" bit in the first place? Just to be snarky?

[mudzangandoro]

What in tarnation is goin' on down there????

[MBernard]

It's like child's down there, man.

[MBernard]

Child's play**

[mudzangandoro]

@MBernard looks like there is a lot of talking but nothing is being said, and a whole lotta disagreeing. Talk is cheap unless if its comin' from congress!!!!!!!!!!

[Keyjo]

Asinine game playing!
Gee, no damned wonder nothing ever gets done. This B.S. has got to stop.

[FollowTheMoney]

Term limits will help. Reid and McConnell need to go.

[Nat]

I think if we passed laws state by state we could get them out sooner. Pass state laws that say a congressman cannot serve that state for more than two terms. If a President can only serve two terms, there is no reason to allow congressmen to serve more than two. The reason the President's term is limited is so that he cannot gain total power. That's what we need to do with congressmen.

[jessejaymes]

From my point of view this country needs to get rid of old lunatics like both McConnell and Reid. They really do represent everything that is wrong in politics. Boss Hoggs.

[Hireman]

Can't agree more. But I'd like the reporter to do some work and show the other "few" examples. I'd love to vomit while watching more examples.

[jessejaymes]

@Hireman I honestly believe that Congress is so far removed from the realities of the middle class that if they had to live on 50,000.00 a year each for 5 years, at the end of that 5 years every single one of them would have turned to crime or would have committed suicide.

[Hireman]

@jessejaymes I don't think income-level is the problem. It's the 6-year term, and the politicking every nuance and issue instead of focusing on accomplishing objectives that make them out of touch. Imagine interacting with regular people (if you were a run-of-the-mill senator) the way the Senate does each other? Arguing for something you don't want? Filibustering? Voting on party lines? None of us in the real world could ever hope to get anything done with those tactics.

[jessejaymes]

@Hireman I think money is the issue. I think virtually all Senators are in bag of some special interests. A successful Senate Campaign today costs around 50-100 million dollars. Where do they get that kind of money? Not from you or I. They are owned lock stock and barrel and in return they get a retirement if they last one full term. They get raises every single year, they get allowances for their second home, for mailings, for airfare and so on. The further are allowed to cash up to 30,000.00 a FRIGGING WEEK in hot checks at the Senate banks and never challenged about it. None of that even speaks to the amount of under the table kickbacks and bribes that they all do for sponsoring legislation to favor their puppet masters. They live like Feudal Lords and we are the serfs. I think money has everything to do with it.

[Hireman]

@jessejaymes The mean campaign for Senate is around 8 or 9 million, not 50-100 million. Still, I agree, with millions it means someone is expecting something out of the candidate. However, that's not tied to their income level which is under 200k for their salary (can be more with committee pay) plus benefits. Money has everything to do with it, but it's the money backing them moreso than the money they get out of the job.

[mimi57]

It's hard to play any game w/ Obama ...He and his Cronies are political Chicago thugs. Mc Connell and the rest
just need to play along, all rules have been off the table, but, wait , they were never on the table were they?...

[PoliticalSpice]

Have you no shame. Your blaming this too on Obama! You get an "A" for consistency.

Oh on the gay marrige thing, bet you didn't think I knew my bible...

[mimi57]

@PoliticalSpice Thanks ! He doesn't ...(:

[kathyparsell]

Oh mimi57, please keep talking! I am so lost and confused! No kidding... I used to have a bumper sticker that read "Kiss Me I Am Republican" that was in the '80's. I later became a "disinfranchised republican" then a "social liberal/fiscal conservative" sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the hatred of those that would take responsibility away from everyone for there own lives. It seems as if no matter what the respondents say on here one is "the savior" the other "the anti-christ"!
You, despite obviously being labeled a dangerous rabble rouser, seem to be a consistant voice of reason, even if we don't always agree. Thank you!

[mimi57]

@kathyparsell LOL...So you think I'm a rabbel rouser, huh? What a nice compliment, thank you! I say leave the
bumper sticker on , but since the Republicans won't be winning a presidential election til 2016, remove the Republican part and leave the "Kiss Me" on there...and Hey, you may just find a nice boyfriend. lol...and , remember," I AM a consistent voice of reason", there are so few of us left !!! Take heart, things will turn around,
It may take awhile, but never give up hope.(:

[martydotcom]

How is it that the once long-time, proud political force known as the GOP has become this absolute joke of a political party? Your political leaders are horrifically bad at politics and have turned your party into a weekly punchline. Although I am sad to see the once mighty adversary of the Democratic party routinely and embarrassingly keep shooting itself in the foot publicly, it couldn't have happened to a nicer, greedier, more pyschopathically power-hungy, fear-drunken, and ultimately inept group.

[PNWest]

Filibuster himself.... That's not quite what I meant when I said he should go F himself.

[Sonny]

But that's a good "start", PNWest...LOL...

[Bobolinsky]

Now that's funny. Gotta give you that.

[thejimbo]

Clever, clever!:)

[Denizen_Kate]

Somebody had to say it!:)

[MRMacrum]

Well in the Senate the Filibuster is the tool each side uses to F the other side. So in a way, Mitch must have heard your request and complied the only way he knew how.

[Antizealot]

“Well that is true,[making Obama a one-term President is] my single most important political goal along with every active Republican in the country.
-Mitch McConnell

[Bobolinsky]

If someone was trying to burn down your house... Would you wish them success?

[Bobolinsky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[PoliticalSpice]

I've been around and watched polyocs for decades. Thought nothing could surprize me. Any parlimentarians out there who can say what happens when he gives up the floor, dosen't it then get voted on? Does that mean he can never stop talking...

[jessejaymes]

Assuming Senators pay, staffers pay, lights, janitorial services to clean the chamber every day, chauffeurs, meals, drinks before during and after, the occasional taxpayer hot check at the Senate bank (since we're here let's pick up a free 5,000.00), and incidentals, what do you suppose that day in the Senate for McConnell to filibuster himself cost the American Taxpayer? 1 million? 5 million? Not to mention the time lost that could have been spent on something of substance?

[PoliticalSpice]

@jessejaymes not quiet that much, but you are onto a brilliant idea. How embarrassing it would be if someone in congress requested a report asking just that question, or better yet a journalist looking to make some mischef. Come to think of it don't you know rachel maddow from your hs football dayS?

[jessejaymes]

@PoliticalSpice Too funny. Nah i wasn't on Rachel's to do list ya know?

[FollowTheMoney]

Congress doing what congress does.....Reid and McConnell both suck.

[Sonny]

I think the republican party is just continuing to implode...They are falling all over them selves...and trying to find a "message" to try to keep them selves relevant...But so far nothing is working for them. And the American public has no confidence in them or their unproductive politics or tactics.

[DARSB]

I think there's been a certain amount of floundering among Republicans since the Berlin Wall came down. The party spent so much time and energy being anti-communist it had trouble coping with winning. Many of those same people remain in the GOP establishment, which I believe is part of the reason the party's reactions to events seem so disorganized at times.

[Sonny]

@DARSB That coupled with the "blinded-sided" hits they are taking from the "tea-party" faction of their party...They still don't know how (or just refuse to) address this radical & largely politically amateur, part of their party.

[mudpike]

Regardless of Party - they all become professional prostitutes to whatever power pimps (Unions, Big Oil, Teachers, Medical, etc , etc.) who buys them off. The most important thing we can do to control them is INSIST on 'Term Limits'. Like socks or underwear you need to change them every couple of years or they start to stink. LOL . Give them two (2) terms & get rid of them.

[Bobolinsky]

I choose neither of the above. It demonstrates that the Democrats and the few Republicans (RINOS) have forsaken any semblance of fiscal sanity.

Think about it. Here we have an Administration that has taken the concept of fiscal irresponsibility to new depths and 51 out of 100 Senators think it's a good idea to give him a blank check...book.

[Mia]

Mcconnell is a career politician who still thinks that he is playing games with other career politicians. Obviously he hasnt realized that this president and his administration are playing a different and radical game.

[PoliticalSpice]

Well if McConnell is playing a game he should learn the game he is playing. He looks like the idiot he is. Hope this game goes like baseball: strike 1 "one term president" Strike 2 "filibuster himself"

[Hiker2009]

This was a tactic to measure Senate support for giving the president the authority to raise the debt ceiling. McConnell thought that he had the votes to pass this to send a message to Obama that this particular part had to be dropped from negotiations. Reid opposed the bill until he realized he that the votes to get it passed. Reid flipped and McConnell flipped. Of course McConnell had to stop it.

Of course, the leftist partisan "Talking Points Memo" would spin this into an attack on McConnell and the GOP. They wouldn't exist otherwise.

Tax issues originate in the US House (per the US Constitution). Speaker Boehner needs to get the US House to pass a bill to avoid the fiscal cliff, then go into an immediate recess and send everyone home. When the US Senate passes a version, Boehner can send in reps for the conference to hash out the differences. If they can strike a deal, then call the US House in session, pass it, and go into recess immediately. This puts the ball in Obama's court. He either signs or vetoes.

[PoliticalSpice]

I understand the tactic. I don't understand why Obama is to blame for McConnell's stupidity. He is the third ranking repub in the nation. Is this really the best you guys got? No wonder you lost...

[Hiker2009]

@PoliticalSpice

I never said that it was Obama's fault. He just wants sole authority (unless 2/3rds of Congress says no) when it comes to raising the debt ceiling as part of any agreement on the fiscal cliff deal. I doubt that it would survive a legal challenge and will probably be the first thing to go in a deal...if one is reached.

Why does Harry Reid put up his own party bills for a vote, then votes no on it? There is a procedural reason for it. In that case, if the bill fails Reid can bring the identical bill up later on in the session without having to go through the entire process again. So, his no vote actually saves the bill from an outright defeat.

The Senate has some strange rules and maybe McConnell knows of an old forgotten about rule. When Senator Robert Byrd was the Democrat Senate Leader (as well as before and after) he did some amazing things because he was so well versed on the Senate rules and procedures. Given McConnell and Byrd's friendship, it is possible the "old Byrd" taught McConnell some tricks during their years of service together.

Maybe it was for procedural reasons. Maybe McConnell miscounted in the head count (it certainly wouldn't be the first time Senate leadership got the head count wrong). Maybe he wanted some of the Democrats up for reelection in 2014 to be on the record with their support. Only time will tell.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Hiker2009
I was responding more generally to why is it so many people on here seemed to blame mcconnell for this. I misunderstood your comment to be in that catagory. So I apologize for that. As to the reason, i get it, and commend you for clearly understanding it. A lot on this site don't have a clue, just an opinion. But if you play the game he plays, esp on so big a stage, you need to know what your doing. I had some experiance with parlimentary procedure in a city commision and have watched in city council.

[Sharpshooter]

How about OPTION THREE...... horrible question demonstrating the author's bias. I think it was a good play.... Harry gets to simply discard bills out of hand. When you play with a cheat, you rewrite the rules.

[PoliticalSpice]

A good play? People all over the country will conclude the third ranking repubican leader is an idiot...which team do you think he plays for?

[Sharpshooter]

@PoliticalSpice People all over the country also thought voting for Axelshaft's boy was a good idea. They, like you are entitled to their opinion and I too have the prerogative to have and share mine.

Which team do I think he plays for? Considering your thinking him an Idiot..... Yours? Or do you instead follow Harry (Just make shit up) Reid?

[PoliticalSpice]

@Sharpshooter
Well I'm not on a team, I am a free agent. I have voted in my life for people from at least six different parties. I pick who I think makes sense. But yes, I voted Obama. I grant you that. But that is not why I call McConnel an idiot. There are plenty, or at use there used to be, plenty of consevatives I respect. But he keeps making a fool of himself by shooting his mouth off. Initially his stratergy pf non-co-operation was brilliant. But once everyone knew it they labelled him obstructionist. It was sucessfully used by Obama to convince some any failures of his in creating jobs were because of obstruction by repubs. Mcconnell also looks silly when he says something like one term president and he gets re-elected; and this is an example of something like that. If reid gets this through after mcconnel introduced it people are gonna be using mcconnell as the punch line in jokes for weeks. That is what i meant when i said it makes him look like an idiot. Of course any one is entitled to an opinion and has the right to express it, I am not taking that from anyone, nor would I want to.

[Sharpshooter]

@PoliticalSpice "Mcconnell also looks silly when he says something like one term president and he gets re-elected; and this is an example of something like that."

Comment about one term president makes you look silly? Interesting.... http://youtu.be/CCN5-ovvFL0

Silly or just dishonest?

[PoliticalSpice]

@Sharpshooter
Dishonest means he intended to lie. I think he actually wanted to suceed, but failed, so I wouldn't say he was dishonest. He basically said he'd have 4 years and if people didn't think he did what he promised they could remove him from office. It was public knowkedge he said that, people were reminded of it during the re-election campaign, and they voted to re-elect him. Now if you think he looked silly making that statement before he took office, ok, personally I think he was naive.

[Denizen_Kate]

Senatorship 101: Never call for a vote on a bill you are against unless you know you have the votes to defeat it. Reid called McConnell's bluff, plain and simple. It's the first time in a long time that Reid has done something I can admire.

[Pragmatist]

Takes "he was for before he was against it" to a new level. Although, I don't think it really is such a big deal... there is a lot of wonky maneuvering going on all the time, and while this is silly... it's not as bad as killing bills in the committee when they would actually get passed in a real vote.

[arabah]

I don't understand why the approval rating of Congress is so low but these ignorant so called representatives of the people manage to keep getting re-elected and re-elected and re-elected. There has to be term limits for these people in order to not entice them to become "career politicians." After so long it becomes greed over good decision making.

[MRMacrum]

Again poor answer choices. There should have been at least one more - "Bonehead move from a minority member who forgot or was too stupid to know that if a tactic like this is to work, he had better know he has the votes going in. " ....

McConnell just reinforced my opinion that the GOP has finally succeeded in purging the smartest and brightest on their side. What an idiot. I loved watching him back track when Reid called his bluff. That was classic.

And BTW - The last great GOP Senate leader was Bob Dole. And wasn't it ever so nice of his own party disrespecting him with their disabilities vote. What a sad excuse for a political party. The Democrats may be loony tunes from time to time, but they at least show some sanity once in awhile.

[culinary]

I am from Kentucky...McConnell is an idiot.