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This week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) decided to put judicial nominations on the front-burner, much to the chagrin of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has made obstructionism one of his top priorities. Reid played some procedural hardball, and as of this afternoon, it's paid off.
To briefly recap, Reid wanted to move 17 stalled, non-controversial judicial nominees -- and said everything else, including action on the poorly-named "JOBS Act" -- would have to wait. If the Senate operated the way it used to, the confirmation votes on the nominees could be dealt with in an afternoon, and the chamber could move on. If Republicans wanted to obstruct, the chamber would get bogged down for several weeks.
The decision, Reid said, would be up to the GOP.
Today, the two Senate leaders struck a deal.
Democratic aides said senators would vote to confirm 12 federal district court nominees and two circuit court picks by May and move next to a vote on a bipartisan jobs bill that passed overwhelmingly last week by the House with White House support.
Both sides had plausible claims to victory. Dems are getting 14 confirmation votes, and are allowing progressive on a small-businesses bill that they generally like anyway. Republicans lowered the number of judges from 17 to 14, and moved the legislation ahead of the judicial nominees on the calendar.
The larger point, though, is that Reid was able to generate some progress by picking a fight. Had the Majority Leader not forced the issue on Monday, these 14 judges probably wouldn't be on track for confirmation anytime soon.
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good for Harry
Begrudgingly, we have to thank Sen. McConnell, too (as a good Democratic does). First time in the 112th Congress Sen. McConnell went along. Thanks to the repub/tparty agenda, tho, I wonder what they're now going to pull. Hey, they taught us not to trust them, ever.
@ Earthgirl "they taught us not to trust them, ever".
This also my position. I am 65, when the Repubs say they are going privatize Medicare, but it will not effect those over 50 now. I say, RIGHT!
The same goes for plans to change Soc. Sec. When they "promise" it will not effect me, I say again, RIGHT!
Fool us once shame on you, fool us 87 times shame on us.
Never again.
So the Jobs bill gets a vote and we're supposed to trust the Republicans to honor their word and confirm the judges later?
This was my initial thought... The whole leverage Harry had was getting the judges confirmed before the JOBs bill. Now that the JOBs bill is going first, there is nothing forcing the Republicans to comply with the judicial votes in 2 months...
Another thing - Why schedule it out two months instead of immediately afterwards? It should only take an afternoon as said above, so why delay the votes?
me, three. they'll have their bird in the hand, our 14 will still be in the bush. to say i would not bet a dime on those judicial votes ever happening is an understatement. A bunch of hard-righties throw holds on and McConnell shrugs and says "I tried, but I can't control all of my members." this doesn't look so well played to me.
You know they're going to do the Keystone dance again. Is it too early for bringing up the bushie tax cuts?
Reid's version of hardball again shows how weak and pathetic the dumbocrats are. I'm sorry but this nation needs a truly liberal political party that will stand against fascism, not enable it.
Name calling isn't going to change how the Senate works, no matter who is in control.
Apparently you know more than anyone else. Your suggestion is ?
I listed my solution, a true liberal/labor party. We've got a right wing party, we've got a center-right party, its time for a left wing party
Had the Republicans been keeping ANY of their promises over the last 18 months, I might believe McConnell.
The House is already discussing backing out of the budget cut deal.
"Fool me once shame on you. Fool me 87 times, shame on me."
I thought that went: Fool me twice; you can't get fooled again..
I don't think it has anything to do with hyper-Christianity, but in recent years an appropriate symbol for the GOP would be the double cross.
So, what? They want a medal or something?
Ditto those above; will believe it when it happens.
You gave millions people more health insurance. You want a medal or something? I want more! Wah!
@Joe-JP My point (which I did not articulate) was that they are supposed to come to agreements and pass bills and confirm judicial appointments, etc. It should be "ordinary" rather than an "extraordinary" achievement.
And, Yes, I want more of it.
They do come to agreements, pass bills and confirm judicial appointments. The nature of the Senate was always to drag things out. Reid in a notable away, particularly given the state of the Senate at the moment, pushed things along in the right direction. He should be complimented. Nothing major, but small accomplishment.
The votes on the judges should have come BEFORE anything else, or at least today, why wait until May for chrissakes? I wanted to congratulate Harry but I just can't, he just doesn't have the geetus to play this game.
Given how the Republicans are now reneging on the budget deal of last year, how can anyone be sure that they won't stall again after the "JOBS" bill passes?
Add me to the list
I will believe it when I see it.
Not the way to play hardball.
I wouldn't start popping the corks on the Judicial Approval Champagne. Nobody in either chamber seems to be very good at herding cats. And commitments made by their leaders have been ignored for years. Bad Decision, I'm afraid. I hear their giggles from here.
Please, people. Harry Reid seems a truly honorable man. I completely respect that, in the manner of President Obama, he has chosen to take the high road by giving McConnell & Co. the benefit of the doubt, and believes their word to be true. Compromise is how adults conduct these affairs and, much to his credit, Mr. Reid has not forgotten that. Isn't that what we're always saying we want our representatives to do? Yes, they've lied to us all before, but two wrongs are just that, and nobody benefits. If the republicans renege yet again, it will be a very high profile shame they risk this time, and in no way will that reflect negatively on Mr. Reid, the democrats, or their character.