Fiscal Cliff Threatens 700,000 Jobs - But Lawmaker Announces Plan To Avert Disaster For Working Americans

WND Radio

Lawmakers have exactly one month to avert the onslaught of tax hikes and spending sequestration known as the “fiscal cliff.” Thus far, Democrats claim anything that doesn’t include a tax increase on the wealthy is a non-starter, and Republicans assert that they will reject any plan that raises anyone’s marginal tax rates.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he is fed up with Republicans killing Democratic legislation through the filibuster. As a result, Reid is vowing to change filibuster rules for the next Congress to limit Republican disruption of his agenda.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee is closely involved in both debates and is appalled by Democratic tactics across the board.

When it comes to the filibuster, Lee told WND’s Greg Corombos the GOP resorts to the filibuster because of the heavy-handed rules Harry Reid already employs.

“He’s abusing rules of the Senate by repeatedly denying the Republicans in the Senate the opportunity to present their own amendments,” Lee said. “To the extent the filibuster rule has been utilized more by Republicans, it’s been largely in response to that abuse.”

Lee said Reid uses one tactic in particular that shuts down free and open debate.

“He has utilized a procedure known as ‘filling the tree,’ whereby the majority leader may in some circumstances restrict the ability of other members to file amendments, to propose legislation,” he said. “This is a critical part of the debate process. This is part of what makes the Senate – and has historically made it – the world’s greatest deliberative legislative body. So he’s got to stop filling the tree and denying our right to file amendments.  That’s really the problem.”

continue article and video at WND:

http://www.wnd.com/2012/12/fiscal-cliff-threatens-700000-jobs/