Recently it has come to my attention that Senator Udall (D-NM) is proposing that the United States Senate change its rules at the start of the 112th Congress. His excellent post is located here.
I support the idea of adopting new rules at the start if the 112th Congress. This seems to be completely legal and not changing the rules "in the middle of the game" as the "nuclear option" would appear to be.
However, if you are going to change the senate rules at the beginning of the 112th Congress you better change many more than just Rule XXII or else an upset minority will just stall things in other ways.
I think a committee for Senate Rules Modernization needs to be formed.
Some of the obvious rules I see needing changed are as follows:
- Rule XXII - amend so that a majority can invoke cloture.
- All bills are considered read as long as they are available electronically. You cannot allow the minority to require every 600 page bill to be read.
- A majority vote is all that is needed for everything.
- Need some ways to limits amendments if you want to keep an upset minority from stalling.
My request is that anyone familiar with the Standing Rules of the Senate suggest some changes that will also need to be made to prevent an upset minority from being able to stall things.
I am certain that the Senate does not want to become the U.S. House and adopt its rules, but there may be no other way. How do you preserve adequate debate and opportunity for amendment, but allow the majority to work its will?
Anyway, I am interested in what those learned in Senate Rules have to offer.