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Showing Original Post only (View all)Democratic Solution To The Filibuster: Make Them Talk (details regarding new filibuster reform pkg) [View all]
Democratic Solution To The Filibuster: Make Them Talk
WASHINGTON -- The next time a minority of senators find something the majority supports to be objectionable, they may be required to take the Senate floor and explain just why they object. And when they're done with that, they'll have to keep talking, and talking, and talking.
The most persistent advice that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he gets from liberals he meets across the country is as simple as it is frustrating: "Make them actually filibuster!"
The advice grew loud enough in 2009 that Reid's office leaked a memo to HuffPost explaining why exactly Senate Democratic leaders can't force Republicans to talk out their filibuster, Mr. Smith-style. In 2011, Reid flirted with filibuster reform, but backed off at the last minute, striking a handshake deal with Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) instead. That agreement -- that the two would cooperate to make sure the chamber ran smoothly -- lasted as long as one might expect.
Now, Reid is ready to pull the trigger on a change. "I was wrong," Reid said recently about his unwillingness to back a handful of junior senators who were pushing for reform.
With Reid's backing, the reform caucus stands a good chance of enacting rules changes. The plan they're putting forward is still taking shape as the reformers work to gather support, but its central tenets were laid out by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in an interview with The Huffington Post.
-snip-
FULL article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/democrats-filibuster-reform_n_2141382.html
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Democratic Solution To The Filibuster: Make Them Talk (details regarding new filibuster reform pkg) [View all]
Tx4obama
Nov 2012
OP
It has to be ASAP. Only on the first day of session can this be changed by a simple majority.
Kablooie
Nov 2012
#3
Perhaps every DUer should remind their Senator, and Reid, before that date?
FailureToCommunicate
Nov 2012
#15
I understood your first post. I am saying not everyone agrees that a new Senate session
merrily
Nov 2012
#48
They'll all claim to be Jimmy Stewart fighting for the rights of the little guy.
Kablooie
Nov 2012
#18
and that's the point. If they have to own what the rest of us think is stupid policy,
Volaris
Nov 2012
#29
What's good about this solution is the Repubs don't have any reasonable objection.
NYC Liberal
Nov 2012
#5
I agree that the bill should be at least debated. Nobody seems to understand the word "cloture",
SleeplessinSoCal
Nov 2012
#14
It's not a bill. It is a rule change vote at the being of the session which takes only 51 yes votes
Tx4obama
Nov 2012
#23
Like your idea. Want a real filibuster too. Have signed a petition on this.
Filibuster Harry
Nov 2012
#25
I've said that all along. If their principals are that strong, let them show it.
TalkingDog
Nov 2012
#26