Community Corner

Elizabeth Warren Takes Aim at Filibusters

The senator-elect said voters "want fewer closed-door roadblocks and more public votes on legislation that could improve their lives."

Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren said she and other newly elected senators will work to reform the filibuster process on day one. 

Warren, in a blog post on the Huffington Post, said the current filibuster system impedes open debate and paralyzes progress.

She said she saw it firsthand at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and heard from voters during the campaign that they “want fewer closed-door roadblocks and more public votes on legislation that could improve their lives.”

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Warren wrote:

On the first day of the new session in January, the senators will have a unique opportunity to change the filibuster rule with a majority vote, rather than the normal two-thirds vote. The change can be modest: If someone objects to a bill or a nomination in the United States Senate, they should have to stand on the floor of the chamber and defend their opposition.

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I'm joining Senator Jeff Merkley and six other newly elected senators to pledge to lead this reform on Day One, and I hope you'll be right there with us. Our campaign didn't end on Election Day -- and I'm counting on you to keep on working each and every day to bring real change for working families. This is the first step.

What do you think? Do you think the filibuster process is flawed and needs improvement or would you rather not see that process reformed? Let us know in the comments section. 


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