Fix the Senate Now Urges Filibuster Reform Revival

Fix the Senate Now, a coalition of more than 70 progressive and labor groups, is renewing its call for Senate rules reform. The continued GOP obstruction of presidential nominees and important legislation makes it clear that real change – not just another unenforceable gentlemen’s agreement – is needed soon.

The Huffington Post broke the news this morning, reporting: 

The coalition's letter urges Senate leaders to change rules requiring 60 votes to break a filibuster.

"There are over 30 more vacancies now than when President Obama took office, dozens of which are classified as 'judicial emergencies,'" the letter reads.

The White House recently withdrew its nomination of former New York state Solicitor General Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit, after several attempts to confirm her were filibustered by Republicans.

The letter also mentions filibusters to block nominees for leadership positions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior.

"The abuse of the filibuster to undermine policies that the minority cannot defeat through normal legislative channels represents a subversion of core democratic principles and Senate traditions, and should not continue," the letter states.

The coalition also launched a petition drive "to restore fairness and honor to the nomination and confirmation process for executive and judicial nominations."

The Senate cut a modest filibuster reform deal in January, which preserved the 60-vote threshold. Since then, Republicans have continued to use the filibuster to block critical nominations sought by Obama, as well as major legislation.

The president made a direct appeal to Republicans in a private meeting last month to stop filibustering his judicial nominees. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) threatened to change the rules by a simple majority vote if judicial nominees don't start moving through the Senate.

Republicans also mounted unprecedented filibusters against Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, and John Brennan for CIA director. Both were later confirmed, but with drama and delay. Republicans also used the filibuster to defeat legislation that would have staved off the across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration for a period of 10 months.

The compromise on rules reform that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to at the start of this Congress is clearly not working. We still do not have a functioning Senate that passes legislation and confirms nominations in a timely manner. Senate dysfunction is standing in the way of confirming a full National Labor Relations Board, so that it can enforce labor law and give us a fighting chance. Sign our petition to demand change. http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1575/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6200