Politics: How To Destroy the Filibuster

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Politics How To Destroy the Filibuster Republicans say they'll block Chuck Hagel and Jack Lew. Democrats are using that threat to change the filibuster. By David Weigel Posted Thursday, Jan 10, 2013, at 11:18 PM ET On Wednesday morning, most business reporters confirmed Barack Obama's next choice to lead the Treasury Department: White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew. Within hours, the same reporters got a statement from Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking member of the Budget Committee and a man who'll have some say over whether Lew gets the job. "Jack Lew must never be secretary of the Treasury," Sessions said. During Lew's short time as White House budget director (a role he held in Bill Clinton's administration, too), he'd testified that the president's numbers would start reducing the deficit. That was a "false assertion," Sessions said, and "we need a secretary of the Treasury that the American people, the Congress, and the world will know is up to the task of getting America on the path to prosperity." He would oppose Barack Obama's nominee because the nominee had a dangerous amount in common with Barack Obama. Sessions' outrage was manna to an unexpected group of people: Democrats. For months, a group of freshman Democratic senators have been trying to nail down 51 votes to reform the filibuster. On Jan. 22, when the Senate votes on this congressional session's rulebook, they'll need to keep that group together. Every time a Republican threatens an Obama nominee, their job gets easier. "It really does highlight how the intentional paralysis of the Senate, through the use of a filibuster as a party tool, has gotten out of hand," says ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Obama II Goon Control The Danger Lurking Behind the Platinum Coin	Advertisement
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