Merkley calls Senate rules compromise on filibusters a "modest" step that doesn't address "core

[cal04]

Merkley calls Senate rules compromise on filibusters a "modest" step that doesn't address "core problem"

(snip)
"These steps are modest, and don't address the core problem of the secret, silent filibuster, but they do include some important elements, providing flexibility on the motion to proceed and speeding up the confirmation process on nominations.

"I would like to have gone further. In particular, I believe that if 41 Senators vote for more debate, then Senators should have the courage of their convictions to stand on the floor and make their case in front of the American people. Then the American people could decide if obstructing Senators are heroes or bums.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't take a bolder step to fix the Senate, but what is most important today is the deep determination of Senators to return the Senate to a more functional institution. If the modest steps taken today do not end the paralysis the Senate currently suffers, many Senators are determined to revisit this debate and explore stronger remedies.

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/01/merkley_calls_senate_rules_com.html

[Cha]

1. Thanks cal

So it isn't all bad.

.... many Senators are determined to revisit this debate and explore stronger remedies.

[Tx4obama]

2. If Merkley/Udall hadn't have brought up that 41 plan, then everyone would have ...

been happy with what Harry Reid got today because Reid got just about everything they he has originally wanted over the past few years.

[cal04]

3. Elizabeth Warren's tweet on the agreement

Elizabeth Warren ?@elizabethforma
https://twitter.com/elizabethforma

I'm disappointed that the filibuster reform agreement is not more extensive, but some change is better than no change at all.

[Selatius]

4. Based on what he said, I assume it's still okay to phone in a filibuster anonymously.

If that is the case, that's still a major problem that we'll continue to see.