If Sen. Patrick Leahy has his way, the nuclear option will be
back in play after August recess, and this time for judicial nominees.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy says Democrats should bring back the idea of changing the rules with a simple majority if Republicans block nominees to a federal appeals court.
“I think that the rules change will come back on the table if it’s filibustered because it is one thing if you had somebody who is not qualified. These people are extraordinarily well-qualified,” the Vermont Democrat said of three nominees pending to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in an interview that will air Sunday on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers.” [...]
It’s not clear that Reid would have had the votes to push through a simple majority rule for judges, although the No. 3 Senate Democrat, Charles E. Schumer of New York, suggested the possibility of a rules change to fill the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in March.
Leahy hasn't been among the real rabble rousers on the filibuster as of yet, though it's clear his
frustration is growing with Republicans and their arguments. Now he is laying the early groundwork for the fight that is coming, one that
President Obama took on when he nominated these three candidates.
It's the only valid response to the transparently ridiculous excuses Republicans are making to justify their obstruction.
Tell your Democratic senators to keep filibuster reform moving, and to bring back the talking filibuster.