Ugh. The federal government insists on regulating the smallest things in our lives.

Now, with a new president in office, the Energy Department is going back to a standard adopted in 2013, saying it provides plenty of water for a good soak and a thorough clean.

 

The rule change will have little practical effect, since nearly all commercially made showerheads comply with the 2013 rule — the pet peeve of the former president notwithstanding.

 

The Energy Department said the action clarifies what’s been happening in the marketplace. Showers that provide the extra supply of water desired by Trump are not easily found, officials said.

 

Since 1992, federal law has dictated that new showerheads should not pour more than 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water per minute. As newer shower fixtures came out with multiple nozzles, the Obama administration defined the showerhead restrictions to apply to what comes out in total. So if there are four nozzles, no more than 2.5 gallons total should come out among all four.

There are two very telling things in these two short paragraphs.

The idea is to create a carveout for legislation, like the voting rights bill, that applies to the Constitution. In that case, the filibuster would still remain in tact for other issues. Clyburn said he's brought it up with White House counselor Steve Ricchetti, Office of Public Engagemenet Director Cedric Richmond, and even Vice President Kamala Harris. It's unclear if anyone was receptive, but Clyburn seems to determined to keep making the pitch since he believes "Democrats can kiss the majority goodbye" if the bill isn't passed, Politico reports.

 

Clyburn said he also held a one-one-one meeting with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), who has remained steadfast in his opposition to nuking the filibuster, telling him: "I'm not asking you to eliminate the filibuster. ... But what I'm saying to you is that nobody ought to have the right to filibuster my constitutional rights."

First, notice Clyburn's comment that Democrats can kiss the majority goodbye without the federalization of elections. What an admission! The federal election takeover bill doesn't have anything to do with free and fair elections. It has everything to do with forcing a permanent Democratic majority.

Second, almost any bill in the Senate could be spun as a "constitutional issue." After all, the Constitution is the creation document for our nation and the Senate. Everything they do has a root in that document. So what Clyburn is advocating is not really a carveout. It is the elimination of the filibuster. Now, an argument can be made for eliminating the filibuster, but let's not pretend that this is something different.