Nice Job? Senate Sort Of Agrees On Filibuster Reform

Democrats and Republicans take steps toward breaking gridlock in Washington

Did you hear the good news? Dems and Republicans have approved new rules that will make the Senate less of a place where good ideas go to die! The rules take steps toward limiting the excess of the filibuster, or the requirement that any business or legislation have a supermajority of 60 votes to advance. In other words, unless you can get someone from the other party to agree with your idea, just pack it up and go home. The filibuster has been so misused that it’d even held up the confirmation of presidential appointees, like federal district court judges. But apparently these new rules are like diet soda to Senate watchdog groups. They want the real thing. The rules senators have approved only allows the minority party – in this case Republicans -- the ability to propose amendments bills and it stops that party from killing bills before they’re event debated. Step in the right direction? We’ll have to see. (New York Times)

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