Washington, DC – Huffington Post’s Ryan Grim reports that a “small bipartisan group of senators opposed to broad filibuster reform are closing in on a compromise package that would derail the building momentum toward a rules change in January.” While the ultimate outcome of this negotiation is unclear, already determined are two points:
Fix the Senate Now
Fix the Senate Now
Ben Jealous, President of the NAACP, writing in The Guardian: “This is a crucial moment for the progressive movement in America. But if we want to make real, lasting changes in the American way of life, we need to make some fundamental changes in how our democracy works…abuse of the Senate's filibuster rule has made it even more difficult to address major challenges on the federal level.
Fix the Senate Now
December 17, 2012
Majority Leader Reid, Majority Whip Durbin, and Chairman Schumer:
We are writing to express our support for your calls to reform the rules of the U.S. Senate and encourage you to move forward on a package of reforms on the first legislative day of the 113th Congress.
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Washington, DC – U.S. Senate rules reform remains a hot topic in the news, with several developments that underscore the broad support behind the reform effort, including the “talking filibuster” and streamlined nominations.
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Communications Workers of America Legislative Director Shane Larson will be answering questions on reforming the rules of the U.S. Senate on Monday, via the social news website Reddit.com. The AMA (Ask Me Anything) interview model has been popularized in recent months with numerous politicians (including President Obama and former VP Al Gore) engaging in the online Q&A forum.
Follow us on Twitter @FixTheSenate to get the link to the Reddit AMA.
Fix the Senate Now
Washington, DC – Leaders of the Fix the Senate Now coalition reacted today to new PPP polling that found overwhelming public support for changing the U.S. Senate rules in order to cut down on unprecedented gridlock and obstruction.
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More newspapers made cases for Senate rules reform. Here’s what they had to say:
“Senate Republicans used the filibuster a record 112 times in 2012 and have used it 360 times since 2007. They have stopped legislation that has widespread public support. GOP senators blocked a major military spending bill, a badly needed veterans' jobs bill and the Dream Act, all of which would have passed with a majority. They stifled the Disclose Act, which would require greater transparency in campaign advertising.”
Fix the Senate Now
New PPP Polling in 10 States Finds that Country is Tired of Washington Gridlock;
Public Overwhelmingly Supports Senate Rules Changes & Proposed Reforms
Fix the Senate Now
Dear Members of the Senate:
The current debate over whether to alter the 113th Senate’s rules raises serious questions of policy and political judgment. We take no position on the wisdom of any proposed change. Some, however, have sought to elevate the debate to constitutional dimensions by suggesting that it is institutionally improper for a new Senate to alter the Senate’s have required a two-third majority to allow a vote on a motion to alter the rules.
Fix the Senate Now
Washington, DC – Yesterday on the U.S. Senate floor, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) made a compelling case for U.S. Senate rules reform. The Fix the Senate Now coalition commends Senator Boxer for her comments, which included a number of important points about the need for and scope of likely Senate reforms.