Multiple filibuster reform possibilities being floated in the Senate

Filibuster reform appeared to be on the brink of happening, according to a Huffington Post report, but what that reform will look like remains to be seen. It was reported earlier this week that there is hope for an end to the “silent filibuster,” with 52 senators stating their support, though that number fell to 51 after the death of Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI).

However, later reports show that a bipartisan group of Senators is negotiating a different filibuster deal. Led by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), the group’s proposal is not yet known, but Levin has expressed his opposition to drastically change the rules, and Republicans in the group have stated their support for a narrower filibuster reform package.

Huffington Post is tracking the votes for filibuster reform.

Members of the coalition Fix the Senate Now sent a letter to Democratic leaders in the Senate expressing support for proposed filibuster changes. They also outlined their own reform preferences:

• Eliminate the ability to filibuster the motion to proceed;
• Require that those wishing to block legislation or nominations take the floor and actually filibuster— i.e., mandating “talking filibusters”;
• Assert that 41 Senators must affirmatively vote to continue debate rather than forcing 60 Senators to vote to end debate; and,
• Streamline the nomination process so that nominees will get a yes or no vote on the Senate floor, including a reduction of the required 30 hours of post cloture debate on a nominee to 2 hours.

Read more:
Fix the Senate Now: Now is the Time for Senate Rules Reform
Fix the Senate Now: Progressive Leaders Make Case for Senate Rules Reform
Huffington Post: Bipartisan gang nearing filibuster deal to spike major reform push
Huffington Post: Senate filibuster reform closing in on majority