Brennan Center for Social Justice
You can argue whether Senate Democrats should try to force reform of the filibuster. What's harder to argue is that Senate is functioning in the way Americans have come to expect. From a new Brennan Center for Justice Report:
The current Senate passed a record-low 2.8 percent of bills introduced in that chamber, a 66 percent decrease from 2005-2006, and a 90 percent decrease from the high in 1955-1956.
The full report, "Curbing Filibuster Abuse," lives here.
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All that matters for the Rs is making Obama look bad. Hurting the country is the best way to do that. They admitted that it was their only goal -- hurt Obama.
And that's exactly why there was that shellacking last week! NOW, the GOTP need to get over themselves, and start doing the work that they were sent there to do!
1) Reform the filibuster - make them stand up and speak to exactly why they won't pass bills!
2) No more "secret holds" - if you're too chickenshyt to put your name on it in the light of day, then don't do it!
The report recommends that 40 votes be necessary to sustain a filibuster and that the minority party must maintain the filibuster by staying on the floor of the Senate debating the bill. I can live with those recommendations provided that the second recommendation requires actual debate on the bill and not reading phone books, etc.
They need to stand and talk if they are going to filibuster. This would reserve the filibuster in case the Dems are ever again the minority party, but it also means that the minority party won't filibuster (hopefully) unless they really believe in something.
We all know how quickly the Repubs will try to get completely shred the social safety net if they ever get control of everything.
Can you say "filibuster abuse?"
Best graphic I've seen illustrating the dubious achievements of Mitch McConnell & Co.
When McConnell announced the Republican caucus' results, I kept hoping one of the reporters would ask, "Now that there's no possibility of Mr. Obama being re-elected again, what will your number one priority be in the Senate?"
Also noted there were quite fewer women present than when the Democrats announce their new leadership.
Rachael: Please omit your use of the Beer and Wine on your public sites. We have been working for years with the results of its effects and affects. You have "much"" influence. Please don't use it for that substance. Harriett & Keith
Who is Rachael?
Rachael? Who is that?
Maybe you're referring to ads that I don't see, but Rachel is a fine example of how a person can enjoy spirits and be responsible with them.
Beyond the obvious ridiculousness of today's GOP, I see how "well" we did 50 years ago and wonder - if the best we've been able to do is pass about one-fourth of the bills introduced, isn't that an indication that, collectively, we've never really sent the very best and brightest to represent us in Washington?
Amen! But that points to a broader issue of "political reform" namely - Public Funding of Elections with NO PAC money!
I've looked into this a bit too and have some charts about cloture votes use overtime. The current politics in some states makes it so people like Mitch McConnell only need to worry about challenges from the right, not the left. Which is part of why he can be so focused on his own interests instead of compromising or working with the President.
http://ballotlines.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/building-a-divided-house-the-structural-causes-of-our-partisian-politics-part-1/
Republican hate brings harm to our democracy. We have to have a Democrat Congress and Senate so we can bring our nation back to normal. Republicans do not care for the will of the people, even when there is a mandate or a majority demand. Mitch" McConnell may well be the most distructive force in American history?
McConnell gives all politicians a bad name. Thanks to him hyper-partisanship will be the norm in the Senate for many years to come. I can prove this man is pure evil because he did argued that the poor just get off too damned easy in this country, and have (need) to suffer more by taking on the tax burden that Republicans' cuts for the wealthy will create.
Will have to check through the report, but the important data points would be Senate bills filibustered as a percentage of all bills introduced.
It's clear and simple! The Senate and House need to be overturned! the people are PAID, elected officials. Are they are PAID to do a job! If they can't do it; then will need to help them go away!
McConnell is fundamentally anti-American. He does not believe in the Constitution. Just look at this article and the newspaper articles it references:
http://www.dbc3.com/algaeawards/Print_Media/HeraldLeader.html
It is clear that his entire career has been one of looking out for #1 by servicing those with money. He does not have an iota of concern for his fellow human beings. He makes Marie Antoinette look like Mother Teresa. His ability to con a large number of Kentuckians into repeatedly sending him to Washington to do his evil is representative of the Republican Party at large.
Too bad this information falls on too many deaf ears...how many comments do you see/hear relating to the "do nothing Dems in the Senate" or "(n) days without a budget"!?! Republicans have successfully spun their record number of filibusters into an example of the ineffectiveness of big government, lack of leadership or partisanship from the Democrats. Instead of trying to change the rules (which at best has a minute chance of success) first try enforcing the existing ones...when R's threaten a filibuster, make them bring in the cots and do it. Don't just cave and HOPE people remember, make it visible because every media outlet will be reporting on it...even Fox News.
Spazz@
Sorry but the current filibuster rules allow for only one member to say they object and that is the filibuster...there are no rules to enforce...no cots to be brought in etc. Do some homework that doesn't have Jimmy Stewart writing the rules.