No headline

We have been hearing about the “nuclear option” which refers to the repeal of a Senate rule that required 60 votes to approve a Supreme Court nominee. The question no one is asking is how a rule that required 60 votes when the Constitution does not require that is legal?

If the majority party in the Senate tried to pass a rule that required less than 2/3 vote to impeach a president, there is no doubt that the rule would be held to be illegal. Why is the rule pertaining to presidential appointments any different? Or the remaining rules that require a super majority not called out in the Constitution?

The politcal parties are writing rules to protect the minority political party. This additional check-and-balance not called out in the Constitution is why nothing gets done in Washington.

ARTHUR BISTLINE

Sandpoint