First, the awesome:
Schumer opened a scheduled hearing on the 200-year history of the legislative tactic by serving notice that he intends to strongly consider some kind of change to the chamber’s rules in order to prevent legislation continuing to be blocked by small numbers of senators.
“The filibuster used to be the exception to the rule. In today’s Senate, it’s becoming a straightjacket,” Schumer said. “The truth is, both parties have had a love-hate relationship with the filibuster, depending on if you are in the majority or the minority at the time. But this is not healthy for the Senate as an institution.”
Then the stupid:
McConnell was resistant, saying that Democrats are simply frustrated they cannot amass 60 votes to move legislation, and blaming Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for the situation by blocking Republicans from offering amendments.
“I submit that the effort to change the rules is not about democracy. It is not about doing what a majority of the American people want. It is about power,” McConnell said.
If you are frustrated about the 60-vote threshold, then it is about democracy, since majority rule implies just that -- majority rule.
And if democracy isn't about power, then what is?
Elections should have consequences. The party that wins a majority of each chamber should have the ability to deliver on its campaign promises to the tune of 50+1 votes.
This is also more than just the filibuster. It's secret holds, and all manners of legislative hijinks that allow even a minority of one to hold legislation and nominations hostage.
The Senate is broken. It's time to fix it. And it can be done at the start of the next Senate, when the chamber's organizing resolution passes on a simple majority vote.