An Essay by Nan Trout on Elimination of the Filibuster
MOVING THE U.S. SENATE INTO THE 21st CENTURY
~ by Nan Trout
Tom Harkin has tried for years! The Senator from Iowa, has introduced the same bill to eliminate the filibuster from Senate rules since 1995, and has been met with universal disinterest. Senators of both parties still see it as a useful tool.
But now that 41 Senators from our 21 smallest states can permanently stop legislative action on anything without even having to stand and deliver any arguments on the Senate floor, the underlying dysfunction of senatorial procedures is manifest for all to see on C-Span or the nightly news. Gone are those golden years – back in 1975 - when the fictional ‘Mr. Smith’ could go to Washington and talk himself hoarse and become an American folk hero.
As it happens, Senate rules are not written in stone nor enshrined in the Constitution. At the beginning of every term (after a general election) the Senate – by a 51 vote majority – may make any changes in Senate rules that it chooses. It’s as simple as that, theoretically, but the window of opportunity is tiny. Once the new rules for the session are voted on the day the Senate returns to begin the term, they will be binding for the next two years. That’s no doubt why Senator Harkin has tried so hard to interest his colleagues in passing a law that eliminates the filibuster altogether as a legislative institution.
Let’s be clear, it’s the internet age that will make this reform possible. Only since 24 hour cable TV - with its recurrent images of the utterly cynical behavior from our legislators - have grass roots Americans been able to create a critical mass of on-line political activists who can now insist that their own Senators eliminate the filibuster.
Senator Harkin intends to introduce his bill once more this month. Let’s give him the back-up he needs to get this done. And in case that frontal attack fails, now is the time to start talking to Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley about changing the filibuster rule and make modernizing Senate procedures one of the acts we expect of them in exchange for our vote. They know better than most that no other legislative body has this ridiculous skeleton in its closet of tricks.
Contacting them is as easy as a click on their email link from our www.jcdemocrats.org website!
You can also sign a petition organized by Senator Dick Durbin to support this legislation. CLICK HERE!