Senators give up their ability to filibuster – or hold endless debate – on the procedural step that is required to proceed to a piece of legislation. In exchange for giving up the right to filibuster on the motion to proceed, both sides are guaranteed the opportunity to offer two amendments to the bill – a particularly important provision for the minority Republicans, who have long complained they are forced to filibuster because Reid blocks them from trying to amend bills with votes on provisions Democrats dislike.
Even though senators can still filibuster the actual bill, eliminating the filibuster on the procedural step will cut days off the debate time.
Over the years, senators have reached a gentlemen’s agreement not to press the requirement that they remain on the floor talking for any filibuster, as was the case in the classic Frank Capra movie.
One aspect of the “talking filibuster” will be put in place: Once the Senate achieves the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster and vote on a bill, senators will need to remain speaking on the floor if they refuse to waive the 30 hours of final debate time that is allowed.
Once the vote threshold is reached to end a filibuster on White House nominees to district court, debate time will be reduced from 30 hours to two; for sub-Cabinet positions, it will be limited to eight hours.
Voters don't get to vote on Congressional rules. Indeed, few voters know or even care about them. Yet these rules are at the heart of what can and can not happen in Congress. They are at the heart of our elected representatives ability to address our country's needs. To organize and pass laws. To engage in the democratic process of representative government.
While it is true that the Senate filibuster rules are not the only Congressional rules problem. They are part of the problem. What Common Sense finds distressing about this issue, is that this even this extremely modest and largely ineffective change is the product of agreement between the Senate majority and minority leaders! Certainly the Senators voted to approve this change. But, and this is an extremely important but, your elected Senators didn't get to openly engage this change because the existing Senate rules would not allow a more substantive change.
Common Sense believes, as do the overwhelming majority of voters, that Congress doesn't work. That it does not serve the needs of citizens. Part of the problem is a handful of obstructionist congressmen. But part of the problem is congressional rules. Common Sense thinks it is long since past times that these rules change. That's just common sense.
While it is true that the Senate filibuster rules are not the only Congressional rules problem. They are part of the problem. What Common Sense finds distressing about this issue, is that this even this extremely modest and largely ineffective change is the product of agreement between the Senate majority and minority leaders! Certainly the Senators voted to approve this change. But, and this is an extremely important but, your elected Senators didn't get to openly engage this change because the existing Senate rules would not allow a more substantive change.
Common Sense believes, as do the overwhelming majority of voters, that Congress doesn't work. That it does not serve the needs of citizens. Part of the problem is a handful of obstructionist congressmen. But part of the problem is congressional rules. Common Sense thinks it is long since past times that these rules change. That's just common sense.
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