ConfirmThem

By Paul Zummo Posted in Fillibuster — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

While we continue to urge the Republicans to squash the confirmation filibusters, it looks like they have finally taken our advice . . . only instead as it related to drilling in Alaska.

Democrats trying to head off the opening of an Alaskan wildlife refuge for oil exploration lost the year's first skirmish Thursday as the Senate Budget Committee voted to clear the way for drilling.

By a 12-10 vote, the Republican-led panel voted to forbid Senate filibusters against legislation later this year allowing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Filibusters, a procedural delay, require the votes of 60 of the 100 senators to end - a margin that drilling supporters would probably find difficult to achieve.

Okay, maybe someone with a little more inside knowledge of the Senate can answer this for me. If a Senate committee can nix filibusters for drilling in Alaska, why can't they do the same for judicial nominations?

Update:Well, it looks like I found the answer to my own question here:

Under Senate rules, non-budget items must have at least 60 votes to end a filibuster, or nonstop debate.

But the budget resolution can be passed in the Senate with only 51 votes, which is why the Republican leadership inserted an oil-drilling measure in a budget bill.

Hmmm, maybe we should just put attach the judicial nominees as riders to these bills.

Yes, I am kidding. Just trying to think outside the box here.