To: The United States Senate
Reform US Senate Filibuster Rules
The following changes to the US Senate rules should be implemented:
1. Require "talking filibusters." A filibuster should require actual debate on the floor of the Senate as was originally expected and practiced. Also, a call for a filibuster by a member not present should not be recognized.
2. Eliminate "secret silent" filibusters -- the practice of allowing members to place anonymous "holds" on legislation to prevent debate should be disallowed.
3. Reduce the debate time on executive and judicial branch nominees. This is needed to prevent gross delays in appointments of key people in the government and the judiciary. Some senators have also called for reducing the number of ttappointees which need Senate approval. If adopted, That would also reduce time needed for debate, of course.
4. Disallow filibusters to be placed on "motions to proceed to consider". This change would allow both parties to offer and vote on amendments, and is necessary to permit reasonable bipartisan debate.
1. Require "talking filibusters." A filibuster should require actual debate on the floor of the Senate as was originally expected and practiced. Also, a call for a filibuster by a member not present should not be recognized.
2. Eliminate "secret silent" filibusters -- the practice of allowing members to place anonymous "holds" on legislation to prevent debate should be disallowed.
3. Reduce the debate time on executive and judicial branch nominees. This is needed to prevent gross delays in appointments of key people in the government and the judiciary. Some senators have also called for reducing the number of ttappointees which need Senate approval. If adopted, That would also reduce time needed for debate, of course.
4. Disallow filibusters to be placed on "motions to proceed to consider". This change would allow both parties to offer and vote on amendments, and is necessary to permit reasonable bipartisan debate.
Why is this important?
The US Senate rules need to be changed to encourage bipartisan debate in order to conduct the people's business. All Americans have suffered from the inability of Congress to reach consensus in a timely manner on important issues. Part of the problem is time wasted in the Senate by increased rigidity on procedural questions and escalation of the use of the filibuster as a way of impeding legislative progress.
There is still a window of opportunity, but only a few days left, for the Senate to change the rules for the new congressional term.
There is still a window of opportunity, but only a few days left, for the Senate to change the rules for the new congressional term.