Friday, December 14, 2012

the talking filibuster

While some analysts doubt that changing the Senate rules to require a "talking filibuster" will make much difference, I am persuaded that Sen. Jeff Merkley's will help. The Oregon Democrat has released a long explanation with Q&As that convinces me the change will work as designed.

If coupled with nondebatable motions to proceed to begin debate, I think that fewer filibusters would be threatened and even fewer conducted. While the skeptics suggest that Senators will welcome the opportunity to grandstand, in fact I believe they will limit their battles -- if only t allow more time for fundraising and homestate travel.

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