How a Majority Can Overcome Filibustering Without Changing the Rules

 Source:
Source: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” Columbia Pictures Corporation, 1939.

James Wallner writes at the Federalist:

[S]enators have proposed various reforms over the years to clamp down on the minority’s ability to delay the legislative process. Most recently, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., called for changing the Senate’s rules to make it easier to start debate on the floor. He would do so by making the motion to proceed to legislation non-debatable (i.e., not subject to a filibuster).

But Lankford’s proposal is unnecessary. The Senate’s current rules already give majorities the power to end needless delays. And using those rules to clamp down on minority obstruction will be of greater benefit to Republicans than eliminating the filibuster, which would have long-term repercussions for the institution more generally….

Read more at http://thefederalist.com/2017/08/23/senate-leaders-can-use-existing-rules-end-democrat-stonewalling/

Filed Under:
Topics: Legislative Procedure
Tags: James Wallner