News
Senate Leadership Agrees Upon Rules Package
Thursday 27, Jan 2011
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, reached a mutual agreement on a new procedural system for the 112th Senate, earlier today.
We Must Stand Strong on Filibuster Reform
Tuesday 25, Jan 2011
Earlier this week, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer and that committee's ranking Republican, Lamar Alexander, created a rules reform proposal designed to garner bipartisan support. But the three Senators -- Udall, Merkley, and Harkin -- who proposed comprehensive changes to Senate rules earlier this month, continue to advocate for stronger reforms. And leading organizations have reiterated their call for common sense reforms that make the Senate more transparent and accountable
FL and OR Newspapers Continue Calls for Reform
Thursday 20, Jan 2011
Support for Senate rules reform continues to grow in the states. Today, two more newspapers editorialized in favor of S. Res. 10, the reform proposal introduced by Senators Merkley, Udall and Harkin.
Over 300 Historians Call for Rules Reform
Thursday 20, Jan 2011
Earlier this month, 300 historians, political scientists, and legal scholars delivered a petition to the 112th Congress. Citing the “sorry spectacle of one bill after another being defeated in the Senate despite having a majority of senators voting for it,” they asked incoming Senators to, "Restore majority rule to the United States Senate by revising the rules that now require the concurrence of 60 members before legislation can be brought to the floor for debate and restoring majority vote for the passage of bills."
Sens. Udall, Harkin and Merkley: We must reform the Senate
Tuesday 18, Jan 2011
The three Senators who introduced the Senate rules reform package -- Tom Udall, Tom Harkin, and Jeff Merkley -- explained the need for passage to members of the press this morning. Click "Read More" to learn more about what they said and listen to the recording.
Americans Support Senate Reform by Writing to Local Newspapers
Wednesday 12, Jan 2011
With momentum gathering behind the Udall-Harkin-Merkley Senate rules reform proposal, concerned citizens are speaking out and the media is taking notice. This week, newspapers around the country published several letters to the editor that advocate modifying the filibuster and eliminating secret hold.
Sens. Udall, Harkin, & Merkley Introduce Senate Rules Reform Resolution
Thursday 06, Jan 2011
On the first day of the 112th Congress, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, Tom Harkin, and Jeff Merkley introduced a Senate rules reform package that will be considered in the coming weeks. It features five provisions: Eliminating the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed; Eliminating Secret Holds; Guaranteeing Consideration of Amendments from both Parties; Requiring Continuing Debate to Maintain a Filibuster (Talking Filibuster); and Expediting Nominations by Limiting Post-cloture Debate to Two Hours.
The Real State of Senate Rules Reform – Answering Concerns and Addressing Misconceptions
Wednesday 05, Jan 2011
As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up the issue of rules reform, several common misconceptions continue to percolate about the content of the proposed reforms and the implications of undertaking such an effort. Below are common concerns and misconceptions, with our analysis of why these criticisms miss the mark.
Momentum for Senate Rules Reform Growing Outside Washington
Wednesday 05, Jan 2011
Editorial Boards across the country are calling for Senate rules reform to minimize obstruction and bring debate back to the public forum. No longer perceived as an insider's issue, the nation is taking notice of the crisis in the Senate and demanding action. From San Francisco to Charlotte to Houston to Detroit, major newspapers are urging the 112th Senate to reform the filibuster and put an end to secret holds.
Experts and Senate Rules Reform Advocates: Proposed Rules Will Strengthen Democratic Process
Tuesday 04, Jan 2011
A group of experts and advocates explained the importance of Senate rules reform to members of the press this afternoon -- calling it "imperative to strengthening our democracy". The speakers joined every member of the returning Senate Democratic caucus, who recently signed a letter calling for rules reform.
Is the Push for Rules Reform Just a Power Grab?
Monday 03, Jan 2011
The short answer: No. This Wednesday will mark the beginning of the 112th Congress and a return to split-party rule, with the Democrats and Republicans each controlling one chamber of our legislative body. In a political system where standstill is often the default setting, both parties will have to work together to move forward in 2011.
Chief Justice Roberts Asks Senate to End Obstruction of Judicial Confirmations
Monday 03, Jan 2011
The federal judiciary is in a state of crisis, according to Chief Justice John Roberts. Urging the Senate to stop obstructionism that has caused almost one in nine seats on the bench to sit vacant, Roberts used his annual year-end report on the judiciary to ask the smaller legislative body to fix the problem once and for all.
Senate Democratic Caucus Unites Behind Rules Reform
Thursday 23, Dec 2010
In an unprecedented move yesterday, the entirety of the Senate Democratic caucus returning for the next Congress signed a letter calling for rules reform. The letter, sent to Majority Leader Harry Reid, urges him to support action to fix the Senate’s arcane procedures, with a special focus on reforming the filibuster.
How to Fix the Senate: Judicial Nominations
Wednesday 22, Dec 2010
Thirty Hours. That's how long Senators can continue to discuss each judicial nomination after debate has been ended. This arcane rule, and the Senators who take advantage of it, has caused our courts to enter a state of disarray. Yesterday, Senate Democrats may have negotiated a deal with Republicans that perpetuates the absurdity of the situation.
Former Senators Hagel & Hart Support Senate Rules Reform
Tuesday 21, Dec 2010
Two former Senators--one from each side of the aisle--penned a piece for Time magazine urging the 112th Congress to do away with the filibuster. With a combined 24 years of Senate service between them, Sens. Chuck Hagel and Gary Hart point out that the Constitution trumps any congressional rules.
Support for Rules Reform Builds in the States
Monday 20, Dec 2010
It was quite a weekend for the obstructionists in the Senate. No fewer than 7 bills were blocked, all by a minority of Senators. And these weren’t even controversial pieces of legislation. 42 Senators blocked health benefits for 9/11 responders despite 57 voting in favor. 39 Senators blocked an extension of unemployment benefits, despite 59 voting yea.
Exclusive Interview with the “Secret Senator”
Thursday 16, Dec 2010
Following a much-publicized panel discussion featuring Senator Tom Harkin, today we introduce the world to one of his less forthright colleagues: the Secret Senator. Read more to watch as the Secret Senator comes clean about his outrageous obstructionism in the Senate.
Senator Harkin: “Senate has become totally dysfunctional”
Wednesday 15, Dec 2010
Speaking at a Common Cause event in Washington D.C, Senator Tom Harkin argued that the filibuster is hurting American democracy.
How to Fix the Senate: Keep it Real
Tuesday 14, Dec 2010
In the Senate’s early years, the filibuster did not exist--a simple majority vote was all it took to cut off a debate. But times have changed. Today senators threaten to use the filibuster hundreds of times each session. It's become a tool to avoid public debate. It gives senators the power to horse-trade and cut secret deals. It empowers political "hostage takers" who represent powerful special interests. Something has to change.
How to Fix the Senate: Eliminating Secret Holds
Monday 13, Dec 2010
Coming off another typical week in the Senate—chock full of filibustering and backroom deals—calls for rules reform are growing louder. Americans are fed up with the gridlock and they’re making their voices heard. And today, a banner headline in the Washington Post proclaimed, "Senate having trouble doing business in the modern era." Building on this momentum, this week we’ll highlight 8 Principles that Senators should include in rules reform, starting with the elimination of the secret hold.
