Politics

McCain gets fed up with fellow Republican, says ‘lends some credence’ to idea of filibuster reform

Alexis Levinson Political Reporter
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WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. John McCain became so fed up with a Republican colleague’s efforts to block the National Defense Authorization Act on Monday that he suggested in a floor speech that perhaps Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid’s push to change the rules of the filibuster was not a bad idea.

The comment came after McCain criticized his Republican colleague Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky for holding up the NDAA.

“I find it disappointing that one member of the United States Senate feels that his particular agenda is so important that it affects the lives and the readiness and the capabilities of the men and women who are serving in the military and our ability to defend this nation,” McCain said. “I think it’s hard to answer to the men and women in the military with this kind of behavior, but I will leave that up to the senator from Kentucky to do so.”

“Much to my dismay,” McCain said of Paul’s objection, “it lends some credence to the argument that maybe we ought not to do business the way that we are doing here in the United States Senate.”

The comment appeared to refer to Reid’s push to change the rules governing the filibuster, which he says Republicans have “abused,” leaving the chamber hamstrung.

The reform would prevent the minority from filibustering on the motion to proceed.

Republicans, especially Sen. Mitch McConnell, have criticized the plan as the majority taking away the rights of the minority in the Senate.

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