Throwback To Republican Senators’ Previous Comments On The Importance Of Senate Procedure And The Dangers Of Going Nuclear
Washington, D.C. – In the midst of Republicans going nuclear on the California Waiver CRA, Senate Democrats release past comments from Republicans exposing their hypocrisy on this unprecedented decision:
Leader Thune (R-SD) when asked if he’d advise his party against moving to override the parliamentarian: “Yeah, and that’s totally akin to killing the filibuster. We can’t go there. People need to understand that.” [Punchbowl, 1/6/25]
Leader Thune (R-SD): “One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate. That means preserving the legislative filibuster, the Senate rule that today has perhaps the greatest impact on preserving the Founders' vision of the U.S. Senate.” [Maiden Speech, 1/3/25]
Leader Thune (R-SD): “It's called the nuclear option for a reason … you can't put that genie back in the bottle.” [Stakeout, 1/4/22]
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “The framers designed the Senate to be the country’s firewall against ill-considered and radical change. If our Democratic friends have concluded their worst ideas could never clear this high bar, it’s their bad ideas that need to be scrapped, not the core checks and balances of American government.” [Floor Remarks, 9/14/20]
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): “Mr. President, the culture of the Senate is built upon a foundation of respect and cooperation that is meant to transcend partisanship. It is a culture in which legislative goals are reached with patience, persuasion, and perseverance, not raw power. I implore my colleagues to consider the ramifications for our country.” … “It is crucial that we work together and find common ground on the issues that matter most to the American people. Changing long-standing Senate rules to benefit one political party would discourage efforts to forge consensus and only serve to reinforce bitter partisan divisions. I urge my colleagues to stand against this calamitous change and for the principles of compromise and cooperation that have long defined and been the hallmarks of the United States Senate.” [Senate Floor, 1/12/22]
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “You either believe in Senate rules and procedures or you don’t. When we had control of the White House, House, and Senate, we were under pressure to change the rules to enact the Republican agenda. I thought it would be bad for the country and I said ‘No.’ … It’s not healthy for the Senate and I’m not going to live that way.” [Press Release, 10/7/21]
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN): “The US Senate is the only significant legislative body in the world that takes Democratic minority rights seriously. We want to make sure when you have the slimmest of majorities, in this case you have a vice president that can break a tie, they are not making major legislative changes. It’s a forcing mechanism so we can focus together on the things that the American people really care about.” [Fox Business, 1/11/22]
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS): “Protecting the traditional rights of the minority party in the Senate is equivalent to saving the institution and its role in our democratic government.” [Press Release, 1:08 - 1:17, 1/19/22]
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN): “I hope my colleagues find the strength and the courage to maintain their previous long-standing support for preserving the Senate’s role.” [Floor Remarks, 1/19/22]
Senator John Curtis (R-UT): “Another red line for me is overruling the parliamentarian.” [NBC, 4/4/25]
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