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27 Jan 2011 15:11

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U.S.: McConnell, Reid hash out “gentleman’s agreement” over filibuster

  • problem The exploding use of the filibuster rule has stagnated the Senate, with a 60-vote supermajority often needed to pass legislation, one senator being able to secretly block any vote they so please, and the president’s appointments being held up in the confirmation process seemingly endlessly.
  • solution? Today’s “gentleman’s agreement” between Sen. Reid and Sen. McConnell, in which for more capacity to add amendments, the GOP will filibuster less, will support ending the secret vote block, and will cut by one-third the number of Obama appointments that need Senate confirmation. source

13 Jan 2009 17:59

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U.S.: Hillary Clinton on how she’d handle diplomacy

  • America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America.
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton • going up against the Senate in confirmation hearings to become Secretary of State • source