Senator Nelson's office clarifies position on filibuster reform

[dtotire]

Senator Nelson's office clarifies position on filibuster reform
By Greg Sargent

As you probably noticed, Senator Ben Nelson has taken a bit of a beating in the last 24 hours because he seemed to tell a local media outlet that he opposes filibuster reform. "The last thing we need to do is start changing rules, with 51 votes and simple majority, and make the Senate a smaller version of the House," Nelson said.

This ticked a lot of people off, because if Dems try to pass reform with 67 votes and include Repubicans -- or even if they try to do it by a simple majority with only Dems -- every vote will count, and a few defections could sink the entire effort.

Turns out, though, that in reality Nelson's position isn't as bad as it sounds, according to clarification sent my way by Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson.

Thompson emails that in fact, Nelson is open to supporting Senator Tom Udall's filibuster reform plan, which was introduced yesterday, as "a starting point." He adds that Nelson recognizes that "clearly the Senate is dysfunctional and too often dilatory tactics are used to obstruct it from working for the American people."

What's more, Thompson says, Nelson isn't completely ruling out supporting doing reform by a simple majority, which may be necessary if Dems can't reach a deal with the GOP. When I asked whether this is something Nelson could support, Thompson told me: "Americans want Congress to work together, so the bipartisan work underway on filibuster reform won't be helped by saying what he might do if it fails."

That's better than yesterday. Nelson isn't willing to say yet that he is open to supporting filibuster reform by a simple majority, but chiefly because he's worried it will scuttle bipartisan nominations. And he is not ruling it out.

"He also strongly supports open debate and has a clear record voting against obstruction, delay and political gamesmanship," Thompson continues.

I'd say this is moderately encouraging. Nelson supports fostering open debate in principle, which is what the Udall proposal does, and he may support the proposal itself, perhaps even if a simple majority vote is required to pass it. He just wants bipartisan negotiations to be given a chance. You can't be sure where Nelson will end up in the end, of course, but for now, this is an improvement, because again, every vote is going to count.





http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/senator_nelsons_office_clarifi.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. of course he's against reform, it takes away his hostage negotiations

Wasn't he the prick who wanted goodies in order to vote for the healthcare bill? With the rules simplified, he can't play gangsta negotiator.

[leveymg]

2. This is really a bad idea, and it'll set precedent for the GOOP majority to do it in 2012.

We don't even have the House, so it's not like we're gonna pass anything important.

Should've done this two years ago. But, now? Forget it - it just clears the way for the other guys to turn the government into a total Right-wing dictatorship, with cooperation from Obama.

[Nite Owl]

3. Agree with you

the House isn't going to send over anything good so we will be better off without it. It might even do more harm than good, it could make it easier for the bad stuff to pass. The GOP can siphon off enough conservadems to get the 51 votes this way and we would be totally screwed.