Now That They've Lost Senate Seats the Dems Seek to Change the Rules

When the Dems had a large, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate they had no interest in changing the filibuster rules.  Now that they've lost six seats and have a slender majority they're suddenly interested in filibuster reform:

Following the opening prayer, Vice President Biden will administer the oath-of-office for 31 senators, which includes 16 new senators. Though they maintained the majority, Democrats lost six seats after the November mid-term elections resulting in the make-up of the current Congress at 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and two Independents.

Once the ceremony is over and the election of other senate officials are dispensed with, Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) plans to raise an objection that the previous Senate’s rules be passed over to the new session and submit his filibuster-change resolution. Sen. Udall has cited a Constitutional rule under Article I, Section 5 that allows Congress to determine the rules for its proceedings on the first day of a new session. The senator argues that, while only the U.S. House takes advantage of this provision every two years, it is open to the U.S. Senate as well.

His proposal seeks to implement three requirements: senators that wish to object to a motion to proceed on a bill must remain on the floor to maintain the filibuster; if a motion to proceed passes then a cloture vote must be taken immediately to prevent delays by opposing senators; and finally, the elimination of “secret holds” on bills and nominations.

Though several other senators have voiced their support, including Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Republicans have panned the changes. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called the attempt “a brazen power grab” by Democrats in a speech yesterday at the Heritage Foundation.

In anticipation of the difficulties ahead, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is likely to recess the Senate at the end of today instead of adjourning members and freeze the official calendar for the next 20 days. This move will technically keep the first legislative day open and allow Democrats more time to negotiate with Republicans, thus removing the short deadline for a vote on the filibuster package.

At Gateway Pundit you'll see a list of the myths about the filibuster the Dems are pushing and why they are myths. Take a look.

The Democrats attempting to make this change are taking a remarkably short-term view of things. Given the electoral landscape in 2012 when they'll have to defend 25 seats to the GOP's 10, there's a strong likelihood that the 113th Congress could open in 2013 with a GOP majority in the Senate as well. These rules changes could effectively shut the Democrats out of the legislative process.

It would serve them right if that happened, but the better option is to simply reject the changes outright. The system has worked as intended, especially when it frustrated the liberal attempts to ram socialism down America's throat.