'Nuclear option' will make Congress more toxic
July 14th, 2013
02:47 PM ET
7 years ago

'Nuclear option' will make Congress more toxic




Filed under: Congress
soundoff (25 Responses)
  1. rs

    It is not possible to make Congress "more toxic". The Republicans won't do anything. 450 filibusters have tied up the Senate by McConnell ("I'll make Obama a one-term President"), and under Boehner, the House won't take up any law they don't approve of.
    GOP=Ultimate losers.

    July 14, 2013 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |
  2. Thomas

    A top Republican aide warns that important bills will never be passed as long as we are the obstructionist party .

    July 14, 2013 03:07 pm at 3:07 pm |
  3. Rick McDaniel

    As well as the ELECTORATE!

  4. Tony

    If Democrats go through with this, Republicans will go from "we refuse to cooperate on anything" to "you'd better do what we want, otherwise we will REALLY refuse to cooperate on anything."

    July 14, 2013 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  5. Kinard

    For those keeping score: Congress has the lowest approval rating of any branch of government. The republicans (the leaders of the house), have made such a mess of things that 88% of the voting population of the country disapproves of their performance. Now, will this have an effect on they're ability to get reelected? Probably not. Because the voters will either stay home and fail to vote, or the power of incumbency will rule the day. Either way the public loses out again.

    July 14, 2013 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |
  6. Name Uche Agonsi

    Infact the Congress has stopped working long long time ago. They should even close down the Congress as a whole. If the Senate cooperated to pass the immigration bill, of what use is it if it does not go through the House. It is never heard of in US history when election loosers will dictate government policies. How many judges did GWB appoint. Why the bitterness over normal appointment of judges by Obama. Everything is under gridlocks by either Senate or House, Senate Repubs cooperate in rare occasion when they know it wouldn't pass in the House. Look at Farm bill, student loan, everything. Any hand that enters a pot of oil does leave it empty. Is the person who brought insect-infested firwood that invites lizards for party. When all settlement options are exhausted combatants will utilise whatever option thats available. So let the music play.

  7. Randy, San Francisco

    Democrats should have played hard ball from the beginning. Republicans played the obstructionist game from day one of the Obama Administration.

  8. Tom

    Let's fact it, the only option that would please Republicans is complete, unconditional surrender by Democrats. Republicans aren't making any attempt to compromise on legislation and have been using the filibuster as a weapon to block even minor appointments. "More toxic" is a relative term. Things are already toxic in Congress. I'm not sure things can really get that much worse. If changing the rules means the Senate can get something done occasionally, I'm for it.

  9. Ann Marie

    How could they possibly become any more toxic. Someone needs to sit on these guys. They are ruining our country in all ways

  10. Donna

    The Republicans are doing exactly what I and many other Americans elected them to dom put a stop to Obama and the far left Democrats in Congress. This is what the American people have now decided in two elections since the passing of Obamacare. Obamacare is now proving itself to be the disaster we all knew it would be. Hopefully the American people avail themselves of the opportunity to get rid of it in November, 2014.

    July 14, 2013 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

    Time to remind the GOP party of stupid, you lost the election last year and your going to lose the next several till you learn your lesson that obstructing progress for all Americans is going to cost you!!!!! Use it where possible , time to move along without the GOP!!!!

    July 14, 2013 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  12. PJ

    Pitiful republicans. Still looking for excuses to continue their assault on America and the President.

  13. ThinkAgain

    @PJ: "Pitiful republicans. Still looking for excuses to continue their assault on America and the President."

    And why do Repubs act this way?

    Because all their economic, military and foreign policies are PROVEN FAILURES.

    Wake UP, folks, and vote the Repubs OUT in November 2014!!!

    July 14, 2013 05:35 pm at 5:35 pm |
  14. it must be said

    I hope the Democrats are prepared to live under the same rules in 2014 when they lose control of the Senate. Those nine red state Democrat senators are toast. The American people will not tolerate anymore far left Obama/Democrat agenda being force fed to us.

    July 14, 2013 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  15. rs

    Very selfish of you to think that your needs, and your party's need are the only thing that has to happen. As a tax paying, voting American, I want the parties to work together. Democrats have compromised, Republicans instead have simply left reality in the ditch- and attacked the President and America.
    You people hate the government and somehow feel anyone who is not rich, white and GOP is a liability- not a fellow citizen.

    July 14, 2013 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |
  16. S. B. Stein

    I'd like to know why the GOP isn't do more to cooperate in getting people an up or down vote so that the Senate can advise and consent. Yes, I agree that doing this is a dangerous move and doesn't help bring people in the Senate together. There seems to be little choice in getting the nominations the up or down vote they should get and deserve.

    July 14, 2013 06:53 pm at 6:53 pm |
  17. Catmandew

    The GOP is doing just what the people want stop Obama's far left leaning policies. We just need to keep it up a couple more years hopefully in 2014 we can get more help in congress. Take a few more senate seats keep the majority in the house. Repeal Obamacare it is hurting our economy, pass a budget that would be nice. Maybe then we would get back on track and we could start fixing things.

    July 14, 2013 07:30 pm at 7:30 pm |
  18. Pete

    Under Article III,Section3 of the United States Constitution we as Americans can try congressional reps as traitors,it takes only two witnesses to start.In levying war against the US with subversive acts that weaken the power of the United States..In other words ignorents when republicans are obstructing,filibustering everything that could help America and its people its weakening the fabric of this great country and should be tried and punished as traitors to the American government and its people..Read up and you'd think it can't happen but a petition is going around to make this happen right now republicans or wait until midterms either way your republican reps are toast!!

  19. Name

    Senator McConnel said, Our goal is to make president obama a one term president....that did not work so they been obstructing ever since...vote them, Gop, out in2014.

  20. GOP = Greed Over People

    More toxic is not possible, immigration reform is DOA due to the House GOP, farm subsidies and food stamps are DOA due to the House GOP, sequestration is in place due to the House GOP, we will default on our debt and bring down the world economy due to the House GOP.

    What we got from the House GOP was 37 attempts to defund Obamacare(s) and an equal number of anti-abortion bills, Issa and his ilk have investigated "scandals" that only show the IRS is doing it's job, the State Department security is under funded and that is a direct result of the House GOP. Millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on a gay marriage defense in which they had no standing, again, courtesy of the House GOP.

    What the Hell do we have to lose? At least we will have Federal judges and a complete cabinet.

    Rip 'em a new one Reid!(The women in this country which make up 53% of the electorate will do it for you, in 2014, since the House GOP has decided to make their war on women the main topic in 2014).

    July 14, 2013 08:53 pm at 8:53 pm |
  21. Collier

    Toxic? More like putrid. The republicans, are responsible for ruining the chances for economic recovery since The presidential election of 2008. They have stated time and again that their only goal is to disrupt proceedings, and hopefully unseat or at least disgrace the president. What should have been a quicker, smoother recovery, has turned into a free for all over who's got power. They are a disgrace to their positions.

    July 14, 2013 11:15 pm at 11:15 pm |
  22. Sheila

    anyone ever remember when Thomas Foley was in congress for so many years ?? google Thomas Foley – Congress done a superior job, in those days. He was speaker of the house for decades, (and they all got along) unlike the newt or baynor, who are worthless. Back then, things got done – bridges built / roads paved / schools built / and the list goes on.

    July 15, 2013 12:25 am at 12:25 am |
  23. Tony in Maine

    If the electorate is sick of the obstructionism of the Greedy Old Phools, perhaps it ought to get off its duff and vote for people other tham McConnel sycophants.

    July 15, 2013 05:40 am at 5:40 am |
  24. deathstalker

    Imagine if CNN concentrated on the evils of our Government like they do the Zimmerman Case. Imagine the change that would happen.

    July 15, 2013 06:46 am at 6:46 am |
  25. plain&simple

    Do republicans realize that there is life AFTER OBAMA? Really,after 2016 government will still be needed to govern!!! If there's nothing left,do they really think someone will wave a magic wand and recreate the government exactly as the tea party envisions? Really???

    July 15, 2013 07:19 am at 7:19 am |