…for a showdown
via the NYT: Cheney Backs End of Filibustering
“If the Senate majority decides to move forward and if the issue is presented to me in my elected office as president of the Senate and presiding officer, I will support bringing those nominations to the floor for an up-or-down vote,” he said. “On the merits, this should not be a difficult call to make.”
As is his right as President of the Senate. From a purely political science/historical this is very interesting as it marks one of the few times that the actions of the President of the Senate will have anything other than ceremonial consequences.
From a purely political point of view, this is potential explosive, as the Dems will be able to try and paint this as the Executive interfering with the Legislative–never mind that the Veep’s role as President of the Senate is Constitutionally mandated.