Mitch McConnell triggered the 'nuclear option' again.

[BmorePat87]

(04-05-2019, 10:14 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Just because one party used it first does not mean they are responsible for the other party using it later.  It is completely possible that the Republicans would have done this even if Reid had not done it first.

Personally the whole idea of a filibuster as a way to stop legislation has ALWAYS seemed ridiculous to me.  It is like having a tie game decided by which QB can hold his breath the longest.

The nuclear option was the unspoken threat that parties threw back and forth for decades until Reid finally did it. He 100% should be blamed for crossing the line. 

McConnell should also be blamed for the current culture of the Senate. Data shows that once he took control, the production of the Senate plummeted and the amount of obstruction (refusing to debate issues, vote on bills, or consider appointments) increased. 

I never excused the GOP, but adding context and calling out the toxic culture is important. The GOP may have been the ones to cross the line, but they weren't. For as much shit as the last few speakers have gotten, Pelosi, Boehner, and Ryan did a fairly good job at reigning in the "rough and tumble" House while the Senate, once known for being the cordial chamber, fell into disgrace.