THE NEW YEAR IS A TIME for new beginnings, and one of the most important new beginnings we could have in America is a return to a democratic (small-d) Senate.
Tomorrow is the only day of the year that a simple majority in the Senate can change the rules, so that a majority can pass a law.
Until recently, the filibuster—originally just a loophole in the Senate rules—has been an occasional tool for the minority to force more debate on a bill, or, much less frequently, to actually try to block one.
In the last few years it has become a general tool for holding the majority hostage.
I won't go into details (you can get them here if you like) but the big picture is:
- In the fifty years following a 1917 rule change designed to limit filibusters, they averaged less than one per year—in the last two years they averaged close to 70 per year.
- They are no longer used against a particular bill, but to slow down the work of the Senate in general, to hold one bill hostage until the majority agrees to pass another, and as a threat to gain concessions elsewhere.
Often the very people filibustering a bill will vote for it once the filibuster is over. - The net effect of this is that the Senate is no longer run by majorities—even when those majorities are bi-partisan.
Filibusters need to be brought under control, and the only day this can happen is tomorrow, the fifth of January, because after that any rule changes can be filibustered!
You can help.
Take about 30 seconds to click here, and sign a petition urging senators to close this loophole.
Thanks,
-Ken
