This article goes well with what we are learning in class. It hilights the use of the Republican's use of the filibuster in the senate. After 2010 the Democrat's had the majority of 59-41 but lost a few seats after the 2012 election where there are currently 56-44 Democratic seats. The article also states that "any senator can 'hold' a bill without having to be publicly identified or to provide any explanation for that hold."
I believe that because of the two parties that there usually be a political gridlock present and the filibuster helps with that. The Republicans were still able to bring business to a "near halt" with the minority party. A 60 person majority is difficult enough to get for a vote and I can only imagine how much harder it was when it had to be 66.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
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After learning about the filibuster, I understand why it is so hard to get anything through the Senate. I think much more would be accomplished in Congress if the Senate just needed a majority to get something passed.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why the filibuster is something that people are reluctant to get rid of because it is their safety net for when they will inevitably be in the minority again at some point, but I think that there needs to be more restrictions on it, and maybe lower the cloture vote to 55, so that bills can reasonably be passed as well as senators being able to filibuster bills that they oppose strongly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sara, especially if the number of members of a particular party affects things.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see the pros and cons of the filibuster. On the plus side, the minority party does not lose their voice. However, this can greatly slow down getting much of anything accomplished in the Senate. While the filibuster needs to be looked at, I agree with Ellie that perhaps there is a way to improve the system while making sure the majority party does not get bulldozed over.
ReplyDeleteI think the right to filibuster is important and relevant to Hamilton's Federalist No. 10, that we cannot allow a faction, just because it has the majority, to throw its numbers around and accomplish its purpose. The filibuster affects both parties at different times and is essential to the format of the Senate.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Grace that the filibuster is an important tool, I do think that it needs to be limited in some way. Denying the majority absolute control is a good thing, but standing in the way of any and all potentially useful legisation is counterproductive and, frankly, rude to the American people. We vote for people on the hope that they will be willing to make a change, but with the filibuster as unrestricted as it is, there doesn't seem to be any change coming anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteThe filibuster has been good at creating gridlock but I don't think that is something we want in our legislation right now. The filibuster just adds another difficulty in passing controversial bills with a time cap on them such as the Fiscal Cliff legislation
ReplyDeleteAlthough the filibuster does restrict a lot of passage in the Senate I do agree that it is an important utility. Without it, the minority party would have little to no say, but I do think that adjustments should be made to when and how it is used.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Katie said. A filibuster is necessary even though it does make it harder for things to pass through the Senate and restricts alot of things. I agree that while it is effective, there needs to be some changes on how and when it's used because nothing could be getting done because of it.
ReplyDeleteAs Talia said, I can see the pros and cons to the filibuster. Yet, it is obviously creating a large problem since "the business of running the government fell into disarray and public support for Congress dropped to historic lows." This is a very clear con of the filibuster. Yet, on the other side, filibusters provide the opportunity for the minority to have a voice in the Senate, which is also quite important.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace. The right to the filibuster is one that shouldn't be ignored. Remember our first chapter that we learned about- Who governs, and to what extent? Remember when we discussed that the majority doesn't always mean that it's necessary?
ReplyDeleteI think the right to the use of a filibuster is necessary, but I also believed it is overused.
ReplyDeleteIs there a clear way to regulate the filibuster so that it is not overused? Or does that defeat the purpose of a filibuster in the first place? I agree that the filibuster slows down much of the progress that goes on the in the Senate to pass a bill, and I believe there should be some sort of modification to the filibuster to ensure fair yet swifter passage of a bill.
DeleteI agree with Lauren. The filibuster is a necessity in our Congress but it should be used for more important issues. Using something so frequently forces it to lose its importance.
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