Guest Thinkers — January 6, 2011

Senate Dems Unveil Roadmap for Filibuster Reform

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Open Congress has the latest on the senate Democrats’ filibuster reform plan:

Senators Tom Udall [D, NM], Tom Harkin [D, IA] and Jeff Merkley [D, OR] have released an official outline of their filibuster reform package. As expected, it would force senators who want to filibuster to actually stand up and delay things instead of being able to filibuster by just threatening to delay. It would also eliminate filibusters on simply beginning debate of a bill, ensure that both parties can submit amendments and make it impossible for senators to put holds on bills without revealing their identity.

Full text of the resolution here.

If the Republicans want to filibuster, make them get up there and read the phone book.

[Photo credit: prentz, Creative Commons.]

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