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QueerDuck

(1,554 posts)
12. To those wanting the Senate shut down "right now"...
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 08:21 AM
16 hrs ago

...I think it’s important to understand that the U.S. Senate doesn't have a neon CLOSED sign that they can turn on. Democrats are in the minority (47–53). They cannot simply outvote the GOP to stop all business. Instead, 'shutting it down' means using procedural friction to make it (nearly) impossible for business as usual.

Democrats can "shut down" the Senate by demanding a roll call vote on every minor procedural step or by filing endless amendments. This doesn't stop the Senate instantly... it just makes every 5-minute task take 5 hours.

There's a 2-speech rule... wherein each Senator is allowed two speeches on a single topic per legislative day. A determined minority can use these to grind the clock, but it requires 47 people to literally stay on the floor for days or weeks to maintain that pressure.

In the Senate, the minority party uses levers like the filibuster and War Powers Act to force votes and delay proceedings. With regard to war powers resolutions, those are "privileged" measures, and it allows a single Senator to bypass leadership and force a floor vote, but that doesn't happen "right fucking now" either. The process has built-in waiting periods (10 days) for committee review before a vote can even happen.

But yeah... saying or insinuating that Democrats are "spineless" and "weak" and "cowards" or "compromised" or "disloyal" ... I'm sure that's helping. Keep it up, eh?

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Too many Senate Democrats receiving too much AIPAC money to expect much Ponietz 19 hrs ago #1
fucking disgusting Skittles 18 hrs ago #2
Netanyahu is about as representative NJCher 18 hrs ago #3
The corrosive effect of AIPAC money is no simple matter Ponietz 15 hrs ago #13
Doesn't change my NJCher 14 hrs ago #14
Very disappointed in them. Baitball Blogger 18 hrs ago #4
Interesting. Do you have a source? mzmolly 13 hrs ago #15
Trackaipac.com Ponietz 13 hrs ago #16
Chris Coons et al takes AIPAC money NJCher 18 hrs ago #5
Almost all of them take AIPAC money NJCher 18 hrs ago #6
don't "threaten"; do. nt Javaman 17 hrs ago #7
The administration is amateur hour and they need their $$ taken away 617Blue 17 hrs ago #8
Just do it. Put your money where your mouth is. ananda 17 hrs ago #9
Talk's cheap. Act. Magoo48 17 hrs ago #10
Where would you like the Democrats to start? What action are you proposing? QueerDuck 12 hrs ago #17
Start by announcing, "All" Senate Democrats... Magoo48 7 hrs ago #19
This is performative and will only lead to disappointment. It has no effect on reality. QueerDuck 7 hrs ago #20
My point is, take action, then tell us what your strategy is. Magoo48 7 hrs ago #21
Seriously? QueerDuck 7 hrs ago #22
The United States Government is broken orangecrush 16 hrs ago #11
To those wanting the Senate shut down "right now"... QueerDuck 16 hrs ago #12
I want them to start at the beginning Bayard 11 hrs ago #18
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Democrats vow to shut dow...»Reply #12