“Filibuster” on The Daily Caller

In terms of Washington political drama, Friday was an instant classic. (more)

Refusing to give into the Republicans’ terms for the lame-duck session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is working to score a few last minute political points against the GOP before holding a vote on the Bush-era tax rate extension, and he’s doing a very good job of it. (more)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent and self-described “socialist,” told reporters hours after Vice President Joe Biden pitched Democrats on President Obama’s plan to extend the Bush-era tax rates that he will do anything possible to defeat it, including a one-man filibuster. (more)

The DREAM Act — a priority of Democrats in both Congress and the White House — faces a difficult future in the lame duck. (more)

Whatever it is, Senate Republicans won’t vote for it until the Bush tax cuts are extended and legislation that funds the government into the next year is passed. (more)

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is vowing to bring the immigration-related “DREAM Act” to the Senate floor and some Senate Republicans are sounding the alarm bells, highlighting that it would offer amnesty to an estimated 2.1 million illegal aliens. (more)

A repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell?” Don’t bet on it. (more)

Here’s one rule that is almost always true inside the Beltway: (more)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Senate hopeful Christine O’Donnell says her first priority if elected would be to help the GOP block Democrats’ priorities in a lame-duck session. (more)

When members of Congress returned to DC this week from their August recess, they should have been ready to strap on their seat belts and get to work passing the legislation that they failed to pass all year long. Their to-do list includes adopting a budget resolution, passing 12 appropriations bills that when added together fully fund our federal government, and passing a military preparedness authorization bill. After all, Congress’ spending is out of control, the government coffers are growing by leap and bounds, and our brave military men and women are fighting and dying in two wars. Instead, members of Congress will blow off doing a budget, they will package together the 12 appropriations bills and pass them as one bill with little or no debate, and the defense authorization bill is being used by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) as his own personal campaign puppet. (more)

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats, bolstered by the support of two retiring Republicans, beat back a filibuster yesterday to clear the way for a bill packed with tax breaks and other benefits for small businesses. (more)

Washington (CNN) — Elena Kagan was confirmed as the 112th justice to the Supreme Court Thursday and could be sworn into her judicial post by week’s end. (more)

A $26 billion measure to help states and local school boards with their severe budget problems faces a make-or-break vote Wednesday as Senate Democrats try one last time to advance their faltering jobs agenda. (more)

Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska said he will vote against confirming Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first in his party to announce opposition. (more)

Washington (CNN) — President Barack Obama on Monday criticized Republican opposition to a Senate campaign finance bill, calling it partisan gamesmanship that threatens to give special interests undue influence on U.S. elections. (more)

Senate Democrats are laying the groundwork for an assault on the filibuster, the means of unlimited debate that can only be shut off with a super-majority vote of 60 senators. (more)

UPDATE – 7:20 P.M. – Sen. Olympia Snowe, Maine Republican, announced late Monday she will support the financial regulation bill, in what appears to guarantee passage of the measure into law. (more)

The Senate’s top Republican now says it’s too early to know if Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan will have to overcome a filibuster on her way to a seat on the nation’s highest court. (more)

Sen. Scott Brown voted with Democrats again Thursday to overcome a filibuster by Republicans and two Democrats of the regulatory reform bill. (more)

Maine Republican Susan Collins said Thursday she does not foresee a Republican filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, but she’s withholding judgment on her own vote until after the summer hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (more)