Harry Reid Threatens ‘Nuclear Option’ — And Soon


Talking Points Memo has the article Harry Reid Threatens ‘Nuclear Option’ — And Soon.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday threatened to “go nuclear” on filibuster reform in his strongest terms yet, one day after Republicans completed a triple-filibuster of President Barack Obama’s most high-profile judicial nominees.

“I’m considering looking at the rules,” said the Nevada Democrat. “All this [talk of the] sacred nature of the filibuster — I think what we need, and the American people want, is to get things done around here. I’m not talking about changing anything dealing with the Supreme Court or dealing with basic legislation. I am talking about executive nominations.”

“I’m at the point where we need to do something to allow government to function,” he said. “The obstruction we’ve seen in the last five years is nothing like we’ve ever seen before. … This is not how democracy is supposed to work, or function, and the American people are sick of this.”

An aide to the majority leader told TPM that “Reid’s keeping the whip count in his head and talking with each of his colleagues directly. When he feels ready, he’ll do it. Could be soon.”


Just reading the headline, I would have said, “It’s about time.  What’s he waiting for, the end of Obama’s term?”

I think the last paragraph of the excerpt makes it clear that Reid is just waiting until he has enough votes.

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