Yesterday, I delivered a speech on the Senate floor on a proposal I introduced with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to increase transparency, restore accountability, and foster debate in the Senate by reforming the Senates often-abused rules. The centerpiece of our proposal requires a talking filibuster, meaning Senators wishing to block legislation would have to do so by speaking on the Senate floor. We proposed similar rules changes in 2011 and 2013 when we were in the Senate majority, and proposed them again yesterday as members of the minority because they provide common sense reforms that would allow the government to conduct the business that the American people expect. A portion of the reforms Senator Merkley and I proposed were adopted in December 2013 when then-Majority Leader Harry Reid acted to change the rules to allow a simple majority vote to end filibusters on presidential and executive nominations, except to the U.S. Supreme Court. The change helped prevent the obstruction of many qualified judicial and executive appointments. Yesterday, we encouraged Majority Leader McConnell to maintain these reforms, and adopt the rest of our proposal as well. We have one goal, whether we are in the majority or the minority: to give the people the government they expect and deserve—a government that works. You can listen to my speech on the Senate floor below.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:49:45 +0000
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