With Democrats Likely To Hang On To Senate, Filibuster Reform Prospects Brighten

Washington Post:

Here’s another reason to be cautiously optimistic about the way the political winds are blowing: With Dems seemingly on track to hang on to the Senate — and with Obama’s electoral edge perhaps holding — the prospects are brightening for an overhaul of the filibuster.

Read the whole story at Washington Post

Comments

[independenthere]

02:21 PM on 11/01/2012

One of the most notable filibusters of the 1960s occurred when southern Democratic senators attempted, unsuccessfully, to block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by making a filibuster that lasted for 75 hours, which included a 14 hour and 13 minute address by Senator Robert Byrd. The filibuster ended when the Senate invoked cloture for only the second time since 1927.

[demwolf]

02:07 PM on 11/01/2012

Thank Goodness!

[greymen]

11:15 AM on 11/01/2012

Excellent! Physical presence, yes; limits on usage, absolutely. Otherwise eliminate the goddam thing - it's been far too abused by McBotox & Co.

[bluedog24]

09:22 AM on 11/01/2012

If somebody want to filibuster, they should have to be physicially present on the floor of the Senate to do so. The "intent to filibuster" has to go! If you stand in opposition to legislation, you should have to STAND in opposition. Time to fix the dysfunctional system currently in place.

[Stanley Bonk]

07:54 AM on 11/01/2012

I wouldn't abolish the filibuster. I'd make it a physical effort, though. If someone feels strongly enough about an issue that he feels he has to obstruct it, then he can get up to the podium and stand there and talk about it until he drops. As it stands now, a Senator can just invoke a filinbuster with a wave of the hand and walk away for lunch.

[Craig Walker]

01:21 AM on 11/01/2012

Obama. Use the tools W gave you to root out Republican obstructionist corruption and make them an offer they cant refuse. Support Americans over party or spend the rest of their term in court or prison.

[Craig Walker]

01:19 AM on 11/01/2012

Save the fillibuster but kick out the obstructionists! Failing that ditich the Fillibuster!

[JPHR]

03:45 AM on 11/01/2012

Why save that filibuster? Why giving a minority the opportunity to obstruct ?
Correct me if I am wrong, but the filibuster is only a procedural rule without no real legal basis. By the way of course you have to abide some rules, but there is no reason to declare those rules sacred for eternity especially given the gridlock this rule is facilitating.

[Patriot86]

07:18 AM on 11/01/2012

This gives all pols cover...end the filibuster I say.

[daj2392]

04:32 PM on 11/01/2012

If they want to retain the fillibuster then make it mandatory for them to stand there and fillibuster for as long as they want but they cannot just leave. They must remain and keep talking and talking and talking. Otherwise, get rid of it.

[realitychecks]

11:14 PM on 10/31/2012

Overhaul, yes please.