Does it bother you that TSA and other federal workers go unpaid during shutdowns?” It does me. Let’s look at this issue.
Origins: How the Filibuster Began (1806)
At the heart of the matter is the filibuster rule, which was established in 1806 by accident (!) You see, the U.S. Senate unintentionally eliminated a rule allowing a simple majority to end debate. Now, the Senate can have unlimited debate, called a “filibuster.”
Evolution: From Talking to Silent Filibusters
While the filibuster rules have evolved over time, the idea remains the same: Stall or block a vote on legislation by endlessly occupying the Senate floor. The debate ends either naturally or by cloture ( 60 votes). Today’s filibuster is a “silent filibuster”, where no one is speaking endlessly. A vote is called, but the minority party, along with a few majority party votes, can simply vote “no” to end the debate. You must have at least 60 votes to end the debate and vote on the measure at hand.
Constitutional Context: Is the Filibuster Legal?
The Constitution says nothing about a filibuster. The Senate sets its own rules for meeting. Ending the filibuster does not require amending the Constitution. It is a Senate practice. The Senate alone must vote to end the filibuster, if that is desired.
If the Founders didn’t think the practice of endless debate to block or stall a vote was necessary, and the origin of the filibuster in 1806 was an accident, the idea of a majority vote (50+1 in the Senate) to end debate and vote on a measure would be in line with original intent. It would also prevent stalling votes.
Stalling votes can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your party affiliation.
Call to Reflection: Forming Your Own Opinion
Do you think the filibuster is a necessary tradition to keep? Or do you think it’s time to disband the filibuster because of the highly divisive nature of political parties? Keep in mind, today’s Congress is not the Senate and House of tomorrow. Think of your children and grandchildren’s futures as you form your opinion, not “borrowing” that of newscasters.
You can also contact your Senators here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm
When commenting: This page focuses on institutional effects, not party politics or prominent politicians. Instead, let’s examine the issue, do our own research, and reach our own conclusions based on our findings.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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