The Filibuster – time to change the rules?
Now that health care has passed the Senate, there is increasing attention to changing the rules to return the filibuster to its original role as an infrequently used tactic. “To see the filibuster rule, which imposes a 60-vote supermajority on legislation – to see that invoked on every single piece of legislation, during the course of this year, is unheard of,” said (former Senator) President Obama.
Some discussion of the issue after the jump.
Harkin to reintroduce bill to bust filibusters
The Hill, December 27, 2009
After health care, we need Senate reform
Ezra Klein in The Washington Post, December 27, 2009
Why the filibuster is more essential now than ever
Jay Cost in RealClearPolitics, December 28, 2009
Is Obama growing weary of the GOP’s ‘filibuster everything’ MO?
Talking Points Memo, December 23, 2009
OPINION: A Dangerous Dysfunction
Paul Krugman in The New York Times, December 20, 2009