Proposed filibuster rule change

[Ed W]

On the first day of a new session, the Senate adopts its rules by a simple majority.  In-coming Senator Elizabeth Warren and seven other new senators want to change the filibuster rule to require that a senator opposing a bill stand and speak on the Senate floor, ala Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." 

This would be a step toward ending gridlock.  When the majority passed a bill, they'd own the consequences.  If I recall right, this came up at the beginning of the previous session, but it was defeated.  I don't remember why. 

The Republican will oppose it, of course, because if it passes their stranglehold on Senate business will end.  For that matter, some Democrats will oppose it because they know the scales can tip and put them in the minority.

[nathanm]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/Senate%20Procedures%20Reform%20Memo.pdf

This seems like an interesting proposal..

[JCnOwasso]

I really like this.  I have never been a fan of the current filibuster rules... no 60 votes, no vote.  If you want to go Strom Thurman, more power to you, but get your lazy azz off the chair and stand up for what you believe in or even more so, what you don't believe in.  Bring some dignity back to political opposition. 

[Townsend]

Reid, McConnell Keep Up Fight Over Filibuster

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/11/27/reid-mcconnell-keep-up-fight-over-filibuster/?mod=WSJBlog&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell have spent two days embroiled in an unusual and personal debate over Mr. Reid’s plans to curtail the filibuster, the longstanding Senate tradition that allows extensive debate.

Mr. Reid (D., Nev.), the majority leader, plans to ask the Senate early next year to prohibit filibusters for “motions to proceed” to a bill, which allows debate to begin. By dropping the filibuster on motions to proceed, the Senate could take up legislation with a majority vote — not the 60-vote supermajority needed to end a filibuster. Other filibusters would stay in place, including those on passage of the bill itself.

The filibuster, and the lengthy—some would say long-winded—debate it fosters, is a much-touted tradition in the Senate, featured in movies like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Senators say it helps make the chamber unique and set it apart from the House.

Mr. McConnell (R., Ky.), the minority leader, objects especially to Mr. Reid’s plan to change the rules using a simple majority of 51, presumably with Democrats alone, citing a Senate rule that requires 67 votes for rule changes.

“He says the ends justify the means,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “He says we have to make the Senate more efficient, and we have to violate the Senate’s rules to do so, so that he and his colleagues in the majority can implement more easily their vision for America.”

Mr. McConnell says using a 51-vote threshold would set a precedent for whatever party holds the majority at the moment to rewrite the rules anytime it chooses in order to squelch the minority.

Mr. Reid argues that the Constitution allows the Senate to make its own rules without specifying a supermajority requirement. The rule change, if Mr. Reid follows through, would take place early next year after the new Senate convenes. Democrats will hold a 55-45 majority in the new Senate, including two independents who caucus with them.

Democratic leaders say this change because Republicans have abused the filibuster, forcing 60 votes on even routine bills they support simply to make the majority’s life harder. Mr. Reid said President Lyndon Johnson faced just one filibuster in his time as majority leader, while he has faced 386.

“To the average American, these reforms are just common sense,” Mr. Reid said. “Americans believe Congress is broken. The only ones who disagree are Mitch McConnell and Republicans in Congress.”

Republicans say Mr. Reid’s numbers are inflated. In any case, Mr. McConnell said, Republicans are forced to resort to the filibuster because Mr. Reid so often blocks their amendments and closes off input from their side.