What is the Filibuster-Breaking Nuclear Option?

What is the so-called "nuclear option" that Senator Bill Frist may deploy soon in a precedent-setting attempt to break a potential filibuster? It sounds ominous, but what is it all about, really?

President Bush has the opportunity to nominate and fill numerous federal judicial positions this year. Eventually he will have the opportunity to nominate one or more Supreme Court jusices as well. However,this issue isn't about the potential Supreme Court nominations yet, but ultimately it will be.

The Democrats in the Senate plan to use the filibuster to prevent the Senate from voting on the federal judicial nominees that the Democrats see as objectionable. A simple majority of 51 Senators is needed to confirm the nominees. However, once a filibuster has begun, 60 votes are then required to invoke cloture, ending the filibuster, and forcing a vote. There are 55 Republicans in the current Senate, enough votes to confirm President Bush's federal judicial nominees, but not enough to break a nomination-ending filibuster without bipartisan cooperation.

The Republicans contend that requiring 60 votes to effectively confirm a nomination is unconstitutional. The Constitution is imprecise on this point. The Constitution only asks the Congress to "advise and consent" regarding judicial nominees, which implies that only a simple majority vote is needed. The Democrats contend that the filibuster is not unconstitutional and has been used often in the past by the minority party, both Republican and Democratic, and that rules governing its usage should be left intact.

Republican Senator Bill Frist has proposed the "nuclear option," which would set a precedent and effectively change the rules. Currently, Senate Rule XXII stipulates that invoking cloture requires a supporting vote of 60%, and it further stipulates that to change the rule requires a supporting vote of 67%.

Here's one possible scenario about how Senator Frist might trigger the "nuclear option."

1. A controversial judicial nomination goes to the Senate floor for consideration.
2. Senate Democrats begin a filibuster to prevent a confirmation vote.
3. Senator Frist raises a Point of Order. He contends that further debate would be dilatory and that a vote must be taken within a specific period of time.
4. Vice President Cheney, the presiding officer, sustains the Point of Order.
5. A Democratic Senator appeals the ruling.
6. A Republican Senator moves to table the appeal, which would effectively eliminate the appeal.
7. The Senate votes on the motion to table the appeal. This is a procedural issue and cannot be filibustered. Only 51 votes are needed to pass the motion to table the appeal.
8. If only 50 Senators vote to table the appeal, Vice President Cheney can cast the tie-breaking vote. 51 votes would sustain the ruling, thus requiring the filibuster to end within a specified time frame.

This is considered a "nuclear option" because it circumvents Senate Rule XXII which governs cloture. It also would cause further division among Republicans and Democrats, making bipartisan cooperation in the future more difficult. The option would also be a tactic that would be used against the Republicans in the future when they are the minority party and a Democratic President nominates federal judges.

Garry Gamber is a public school teacher. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is a founding member of http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com and the owner of http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com.

Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Porch pirates are on the prowl this holiday season. Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson has a number of tips to prevent holiday package thefts.
Fueled by artificial intelligence, CyberDog the robotic dog is designed specifically locate fire ant nests, which are endangering ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.

Eminent Domain Suggested as Cost Saving Measure in DC

Washington DC council member David Catania actually suggested that the... Read More

Federal Trade Commission Falsely Purports Franchise Disclosure is Cost Effective

In a recent report on the status of the Franchising... Read More

Colts? Stadium Short on Horse Sense

The predominant discussion in the Indianapolis media over the proposed... Read More

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Soldiers and Their Psyche

Have you noticed that the when the service men who... Read More

Plastics In Our Nations Dumps and Landfills

Long Term Environmental Effect of Plastics, Composites and Other Materials... Read More

Rule of Thumb For Exporting Technology

Rule of Thumb for exporting technology. The American People need... Read More

Immortality and Mortality in the Economic Sciences

Roberto Calvo Macias, a young author and thinker from Spain,... Read More

Genetically Modified Plants Could Become Sentinels for the Military

As concerns grow over the threat of bioterrorism and weapons... Read More

A Noble Attempt To Bring Peace in Assam

United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), one of the most... Read More

Affirmative Inaction

One of Abraham Lincoln's claims to fame is the fact... Read More

Cindy Sheehan ? President Bush and the Accountability Moment

Death may not be dignified in any light but the... Read More

The Will To Fight for Islam

The more I study the dynamics of WWII the more... Read More

True Democracy and a Way Forward

The process of researching this topic has been an interesting... Read More

All Extremists Go To Heaven... Dont They

Heaven, Hell, or some sort of Purgatory.I cannot seem to... Read More

MORAL ARMORS Counterfeit 911: Refuting Michael Moore

Michael Moore asserts the following in his political film Fahrenheit... Read More

Gun Control? How About Crime Control Instead?

The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees every American... Read More

Uncle Sam Cracks Down Online!

In a move that rocked the online world and left... Read More

Nurturing Global Disequilibrium

This brings to our consciousness, issues concerning the ever rising... Read More

What is the Filibuster-Breaking Nuclear Option?

What is the so-called "nuclear option" that Senator Bill Frist... Read More

Without Trucks America Stops

Do you ever wonder how everything gets to the super... Read More

Should the FTC be Allowed to Regulate Franchising?

Recently the FTC, Federal Trade Commission put forth a report... Read More

Responding to Article: Logic Class 101 Applied to the Minuteman Project

In response to Douglas Bower's article; Logic Class 101 Applied... Read More

Market Impeders and Market Inefficiencies

Even the most devout proponents of free marketry and hidden... Read More

Shooting Around Corners with New Concept

Currently the United States has weapons, which can shoot around... Read More

Illegal Immigration - No Sign of Slowing Down

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) estimated that there were... Read More

Antigo wedding limo ..