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redneckgaijinOne proposal to make the filibuster more like what people think it is.
In short: nothing can be filibustered except the final vote on a bill. Amendments can't be filibustered. Votes to BEGIN debate on a bill cannot be filibustered. Only the very last vote on a bill can be blocked by the minority.
That's not all. Rather than merely demand a 60-vote supermajority, the filibustering side must actually engage in continuous debate. In the first twenty-four hours, five members of the opposition must remain on the Senate floor at all times; in the second day, ten; after that, not less than twenty.
And if the opposing debate stops- if a speaker finishes and nobody else is waiting to speak, or if the minimum floor requirement is not met- the question is immediately called for a straight majority vote.
I like this. I REALLY like this, and kudos to Jeff Merkley for proposing it.
Now watch Harry Reid completely ignore it, and nothing happen.
In short: nothing can be filibustered except the final vote on a bill. Amendments can't be filibustered. Votes to BEGIN debate on a bill cannot be filibustered. Only the very last vote on a bill can be blocked by the minority.
That's not all. Rather than merely demand a 60-vote supermajority, the filibustering side must actually engage in continuous debate. In the first twenty-four hours, five members of the opposition must remain on the Senate floor at all times; in the second day, ten; after that, not less than twenty.
And if the opposing debate stops- if a speaker finishes and nobody else is waiting to speak, or if the minimum floor requirement is not met- the question is immediately called for a straight majority vote.
I like this. I REALLY like this, and kudos to Jeff Merkley for proposing it.
Now watch Harry Reid completely ignore it, and nothing happen.
