Warren Takes Aim at Filibusters
The senator-elect said voters “want fewer closed-door roadblocks and more public votes on legislation that could improve their lives.”
Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren said she and other newly elected senators will work to reform the filibuster process on day one.
Warren, in a blog post on the Huffington Post, said the current filibuster system impedes open debate and paralyzes progress.
She said she saw it firsthand at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and heard from voters during the campaign that they “want fewer closed-door roadblocks and more public votes on legislation that could improve their lives.”
Warren wrote:
On the first day of the new session in January, the senators will have a unique opportunity to change the filibuster rule with a majority vote, rather than the normal two-thirds vote. The change can be modest: If someone objects to a bill or a nomination in the United States Senate, they should have to stand on the floor of the chamber and defend their opposition.
I'm joining Senator Jeff Merkley and six other newly elected senators to pledge to lead this reform on Day One, and I hope you'll be right there with us. Our campaign didn't end on Election Day -- and I'm counting on you to keep on working each and every day to bring real change for working families. This is the first step.
What do you think? Do you think the filibuster process is flawed and needs improvement or would you rather not see that process reformed? Let us know in the comments section.
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Iron Mike
8:30 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
It will take Harry Reid, Chucky Schumer and Dick Durbin about ten minutes to put this big-mouthed upstart in her place. It'll be fun to watch!
Fred Oleary
9:25 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
I enjoy the idea that some octogenarian will actually have to stand on their feet f they want to single handedly stop the other 99 people's representatives from doing actual work. Maybe a few of them might drop dead while they are at it and get some fresh blood in there. Bunch of senile old coots, no wonder the goverent is dysfunctional its run by people we wouldn't normally let out after dark.
Daniel Carey
9:29 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
I think this is a good idea. The wheels of Congress need to start moving again and this is a good start. I don't agree with your assessment Iron Mike.
Fred Oleary
10:47 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
"Big mouthed upstart" i.e. a woman "How dare she have the temerity to talk to man like that. And having her own thoughts, no less!"
Mike, your misogyny is showing. Cover up.
Iron Mike
1:02 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Thanks for your comment Fred, - it really helped me see into the future...
I can just see Mitch McConnell, Jeff Sessions, and Marco Rubio bounding joyfully over that center aisle to join Barbra Boxer, Patty Murray, and our very own Lizzy Warren to end the acrimony, balance the budget [what budget?], tax the wealthy, eliminate the Federal Debt [all $16.2 Trillion of it], cure cancer, nationalize 401Ks, and overturn the 22nd!
Yep – that's all gonna happen because everybody there [that other 99%] will suddenly come to their senses after a few helpings of Warrens Cherokee Crab Cakes, washed down with liberal helpings of her special recipe Kool-Aid.
And soonly, when Lurch gets called for his terminal assignment, she'll suddenly be the Senior Senator from Massachusetts, - or Oklahoma, - whatever.
And soon thereafter – inspired by all of this - Hamas will sit down with Netanyahu and sign a peace treaty, and China will give up it's claims to Taiwan.
Bridget Bishop2
10:48 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Stupid is as stupid does Freddy
Dirgni San
11:28 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Damn her for trying to get the system working. Just who does she think she is?!
Get off my lawn, Dagnabit!
Mike Combs
2:53 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
It's great to see that Elizabeth Warren's 1st act will be to make the senate more responsive to voters. Scott Brown voted against filibuster reform, so this is a great way to show the difference between the two.