Senator Jeff Merkley

The Nuclear Option: The Filibuster "Power Grab" in the Senate – YouTube.

I have no doubt that Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell would be trying to eliminate or at least limit the Senate filibuster. Even just for executive nominations if they were in the majority and Senate Democrats were successfully blocking them. But that doesn’t make it right for Leader Harry Reid to be doing this right now just because. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would be trying to do the same thing if he were Leader rather than Minority Leader. Because even though this might be about ending gridlock in the Senate in the short-term. So President Obama can get his appointments through and perhaps even allowing for. Senate Democrats to move their legislative agenda right now but this is really about having power. We are in the majority we decide what comes up and what can be voted on and what amendments can be voted on. And the job of the minority is to vote and shut up or go home. But as long as we are in power the minority doesn’t have much of say in what goes on in the Senate. And if this happens there will be a long-term price for Senate Democrats to pay next time. Senate Republicans are in the majority which would happen in eighteen months.