Join in Demanding Accountability in the Senate: "Vote for Cloture or Lose Seniority"

Rachel Maddow reported last night Democrats in the Senate are considering holding colleagues accountable for halting Republican filibusters by stripping seniority and chairmanships from those who do not vote for cloture.

Let us demand it.

The Democratic Senate Campaign in 2008 was largely focused on getting enough Senators to bring legislation to a vote. Having produced a 60 seat majority, that may shrink in 2011, demanding accountability for cloture votes is the least that can be expected.

Seniority is one of the few tools available to enforce accountability. Moreover, seniority is one of the key appeals Senators running for re-election make to their constituencies in their campaigns -- that their position enables them to get things done for their State. Thus, losing seniority is not only a major bummer with respect to a Senator's day-to-day activities, it can also negatively impact his re-election prospects.

The risk, of course, is that a Senator whose seniority was stripped by the Democratic caucus would join the Republicans. Although the risk is not zero, that Democrat would a) face running in a Republican primary if they have not adhered to their orthodoxy in the past, which they probably have not; b) sit with the minority on Committees for a good time to come; and c) not be such a loss anyhow if they cannot even bring themselves to vote with their colleagues to shut off debate.

Most importantly, if we cannot reform health care now, if we cannot get meaningful energy/climate legislation now, when we have 60 votes, at least on paper, it is not going to happen in the near future.

This is the time. Now is our chance. Taking that 'risk' is small compared to getting those measures passed.

Will you join me in demanding accountability by stripping seniority and committee and subcommittee chair positions from any Senator who votes "no" on cloture should be stripped of his or her seniority?

Click and comment your support, and I will forward to Harry Reid, Dick Durbin and Patty Murray, as well as the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

Thank you.

Comments

[Ralph Vose]

I support ths. It's time to stop letting the minority dictate policy.

[MeinNH]

I agree.

[NathanSW]

I fully support any measure Senator Harry "Give 'Em Hell Harry" Reid can impose to bring his own caucus to vote for cloture. Why be a member of a political party if you don't help enact its platforms even when you don't always agree with the particulars. Threatening to strip filibustering Democratic senators of seniority and committee chairmanships will also give those senators political cover in their own states. PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

[dotcomonmyface]

I believe, the President of the Senate
has the right to award or strip chairmanships.

Whadaya Know Joe ?

[Apov]

Count me in as well.

Vote cloture or lose seniority.

[oliv0128]

That's what I'm TALKING about! There have to be consequences for conservative Dems who do not toe the line on this one! At least for cloture for god's sake. I don't understand why Reid insists on being such a spineless pushover ALL the time. Actually, I don't really understand the logic behind Reid as majority leader in the first place. Why don't they give such a responsibility to someone who regularly wins elections by a healthy margin and, therefore, can go out on a limb and/or twist arms without the constant risk of losing their seat. Can anyone explain to me why Harry Reid is majority leader? Seriously. I'd like to know.

[WorkingClass]

Y'all have to petition Harry Reid just to get him to do his job? Pathetic.

[Valkyrie Ice]

I'm in.

Congress needs to be reminded that they are there to serve THE PEOPLE, not their wallets or those of corporate interests. They need to know that if they vote against the people they serve, they will pay for it. This is a good first step, to be followed with voting out of office. Too many people are watching this for them to get away with the same old BS. If they cave to the lobbyists it will be seen for what it is. I can only hope that if that does happen, they will find themselves no longer employed by the people next year.

They got away with this before because not enough people were aware of it happening. Now they are, and congress needs to learn quick to do it's job, not sit back and soak up the bribe money while the thieves rob the American people blind.

[hrhc13]

I'm in!
Vote for cloture or lose seniority!

[DasBoot]

Good strategy. There is no excuse for denying a vote, even if one is opposed to the bill. I say strip them of their seniority if necessary (I am looking at you, Joe Liebermann).

[Querent]

I support Paul Abrams' demand that any Democrat who votes against cloture to enable an ongoing Republican filibuster, or who votes against cloture against the Democratic Caucus should be stripped of his or her seniority and any committee or subcommittee chairmanships that member holds.

[DogoftheEarth]

Do it.

If read won't do it he should be booted out of his leadership position.

I'm sick to death of these spineless Democrats.

[Rmath]

This is absolutely the kind of leverage needed to stop the Blue Dogs from obstructing vital legislation.

[batguano]

Just signed this emininently reasonable petition for accountability. If ya wanna run with the Big Dog, ya gotta sh*t with the Big Dog! If some "Dems" want to cast their lots with the obstructionists and shills for the insurance industry and the others who make a bundle on the status quo, then they must pay . Our nation needs this reform and for some to thwart the will of the majority for campaign contributions from the Insurance industry, then they should be prepared to pay the price of their perfidy. Strip them!

[DrFitz]

Oh HELL yes!!! Of COURSE they should be cracking skulls this way. It's ridiculous that those who have Chairs could even think of joining a Republican filibuster on the centerpiece policy issue of the party. This is not remotely acceptable to voters, and our so-far pathetically weak leadership needs to do everything possible to prevent it.