Anyone who has followed my writing since 2010 knows that I am a very strong proponent of of filibuster reform. I am especially proud to have volunteered for the campaign of the man who has taken the lead in pushing to reform the filibuster, Oregon’s Senator, Jeff Merkley. I could not be more pleased that Elizabeth Warren has opted to join Jeff and make filibuster reform her first priority, and I urge you to join the struggle.
U.S. Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren said yesterday she will join an effort to change the U.S. Senate filibuster rules, which she said repeatedly paralyze action on vital issues.
In a commentary in The Huffington Post, Ms. Warren said she plans to join seven other newly elected senators to lead the reform attempt on the first day of the new Senate session in January. If adopted, the rule change would require an opposing senator to stand on the floor defending his or her opposition to continue any delay on votes.
Currently, she said, rules do not require the senator opposing a vote to remain in the Senate chamber addressing the bill to continue the delays.
Senate rules currently require three-fifths, or 60 out of 100 votes, to end debate on a measure or an individual filibuster and allow it to go to a formal vote. But a single member can call for a filibuster to hold up votes on bills without remaining on the Senate floor to defend the delay until a closure vote is successful.
Ms. Warren said she wants to revert to a previous practice that would require any member of the Senate who wants to block closure of debate on a bill, to take to the floor to speak in defense of their opposition. That delay would then be limited to the time the opposition speaker continues voicing their opposition on the floor… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <The Worcester Telegram>
Rachel Maddow interviewed Elizabeth Warren last night.
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The Democratic argument in opposition to filibuster reform is this. If the Republicans take back the Senate, this will impede our ability to block their most heinous proposals and appointments. This is wrong for two reasons. First, as Republicans have proven for the last four years, the governing party must be able to govern, even if we disagree. Republican abuse of the filibuster has given us four years of minority rule in the Senate. Second, you may be absolutely certain that if Republicans ever gain control of the Senate again, they will kill the filibuster without the slightest hesitation, so there remains no valid reason not to reform it now.
Jeff Merkley and has a place for you to go to reform the filibuster. I urge you to do so!
21 Responses to “Help Stop the Filibuzzards!”
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Petition for Filibuster reform, LINK:
http://www.reformthefilibuster.com/merkley/
Our country needs this reform ASAP!
.
Thanks for the link, Jim — signed
Thanks Jim. That's the same link I included in the article.
There's that picture again of McConnell getting a wedgie again from the 2 goons behind him, and apparently liking it! The blood flow to his male brain must be cut off so he can't filibuster anymore!
The filibuster was used 380 times in the past since 2006. I think it needs to go, and it is time for some leadership on this. Lord knows, Harry Reid hasn't been able to give that leadership.
Harry is now admitting that it was a mistake not to pursue it two years ago.
it's about time! Reid has my vote and with Warren in the senate we will get it done. As a matter of fact with the many women the senate has gotten. I do not see how McConnell is going to be king anymore. 🙂
The Democratic caucus is more progressive than it was two years ago, but we still have a handful of DINOs.
petition signed Tom and i will pass it around thanks!
Thanks Mama!
As I understand it with my limited knowledge of the rules, this has do be do immediately and I support reform of the filibuster reform which I witnessed abused badly via the Republicans…
There is also the so-called 'nuclear option', which can be done at any time, but for the simple, straight forward solution, It has to be done at the very beginning of the new term in January.
I signed Elizabeth's petition for Filibuster reform that came in an email this morning. It's insane that these jerks can simply "phone in" an objection & cause a bill to die by neglect – but it IS a Very RepubliCON way of doing things!
Thanks Yvonne. I agree!
Recently Harry Reid said it was a mistake to not take care of this earlier. I agree with Harry.
So do I. I wish he had taken action earlier.
I'm glad you posted this. Hopefully, some Care2 members will sign when they see it in the news. I signed when I got an email from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Lots of progressive Senators are supporting it, and even a couple DINOs.
I signed the same petition that Gillibrand sent, as well as the link Jim placed! Ditto all responses – thanks TC – this is too important to ignore.
Thanks, Lee!
Done, done and done!!!
Thanks Terrie!