http://keepthis100.com/elizabeth-warren-vows-to-reform-filibuster-rule-on-first-day/

Elizabeth Warren Vows To Reform Filibuster Rule On First Day
November 15, 2012 | Filed under: Politics | Posted by: MJ

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In a blogpost for Huffingtonpost , Senate Elect talked about how the rule has been abused by republicans to obstruct and basically keep the whole senate hostage . She said

Senate Republicans have used this type of filibuster 380 times since the Democrats took over the majority in 2006. We’ve seen filibusters to block judicial nominations, jobs bills, political transparency, ending Big Oil subsidies — you name it, there’s been a filibuster.
We’ve seen filibusters of bills and nominations that ultimately passed with 90 or more votes. Why filibuster something that has that kind of support? Just to slow down the process and keep the Senate from working.
I saw the impact of these filibusters at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Forty-five senators pledged to filibuster any nominee to head that new consumer agency, regardless of that person’s qualifications. After I left the agency, they tried to hold Richard Cordray’s nomination vote hostage until the Senate agreed to weaken the agency to the point where it could no longer hold the big banks and credit card companies accountable.
On what she plans to do about it .

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.
Here ‘s hoping that they succeed in their quest for a filibuster reform , so the senate can finally pass some bills and move the country forward

Let's hope they can get some traction with this.

B-b-b-but what if the Repugnicans f-f-f-f-filib-b-b-buster?

I would wager that just restoring the original ground rule of having to stand and speak would cut filibusters by at least 20% if not more. Now, if one had to stand on one foot and speak pig latin, the reduction would be even more profound.

Can't filibuster a simple majority vote =D



I would wager it would cut them by a much higher percentage (75%+) -- There's a huge difference between yawning and saying you're going to filibuster and actually having to physically hold the floor for as long as your stamina/public image holds-out.

I'm all for changing the rule as long as the Majority enforces it and doesn't cave to a mere threat.

You and I know that. But since when does the right follow the rules?

I prefer to manage my expectations and maybe find pleasant surprises. Hate is a powerful motivator within the fringe.

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What about the old, unspoken, understood, rule that new senators would be "seen and not heard" for the first part of their new roles in the Senate?

I had a feeling a while back that it would be a difficult thing for Ms. Warren.

But then, I was always a rebel and I say, "Go newbees! Go!"

Even if they only insist that a person must physically occupy the floor and speak for 175 days, or whatever. . .


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I think Reid will do something too. He's really POed what the GOP has done the past 6 years.. I'd like to see the "hold the floor" rule reactivated as well as a limit... like "time outs" in a football game. You can have 30-40 per 2 year session (whatever the average pre-2006 was) - when they're used up ... it's majority rules, baby !

so use them wisely and not to block everything including bathroom breaks !!