What happened to filibuster reform?

[jinx1]

I have not heard a word or read anything about the first day of the Senate...did anything happen or did Reid drop the ball?

[cbayer]

1. I think it comes before the house (or senate?) on Tuesday.

Bill Moyers did a great interview on the whole issue on his show on Friday.

[Tx4obama]

8. The Senate.

The House doesn't have a filibuster rule.

And it will be only The Senate that will 'vote' on their own new rules (thank goodness).

[cbayer]

9. Thanks so much for that. I knew that, but forgot.

Looks like Biden could possibly be the tie breaker, as they only need 51.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Congress has been in recess most of the month.

[jonthebru]

3. Maybe we need to

send emails to Harry Reid's in box kindly reminding him of the need to make it possible to actually get things done and prevent the intransigence of the corporate clowns. Kindly that is.

[MurrayDelph]

6. Not email. Phone.

I saw Senator Merkley (one of the driving forces behind filibuster reform) at a town hall two weeks ago. He said the weight s contact carries is directly proportional to the effort a citizen puts into it.


Therefore:
Checking a box: Little effort, little weight.
Email: Little more effort, little more weight
Phoning the office (and politely stating your view): even better
Snail-mailing the office: much effort, much more weight
Personal visit (if polite and attired in business casual --or better): maximum effort, maximum weight

Now, with the vote about to happen, snaill mail is not an option, but if you were to phone (or better yet, visit) any of Harry Reid's offices in DC, Reno, Carson City, or Las Vegas, it couldn't hoit (as my grandma used to say).

[jonthebru]

4. A recent show about the issue.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/larry-cohen-on-eliminating-the-silent-filibuster/

Very educational.

[cbayer]

5. Agree. It was excellent, but sad that probably very few people saw it.

[Tx4obama]

7. At the moment The Senate is still in the 'first day of the session', see below

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251271004

[Jakes Progress]

10. I think it got traded.

I wonder if Reid being allowed to confirm all those administration appointees in an empty chamber without republican interference was purchased with dropping filibuster reform.

We'll see soon. But that's the kind of deal them do up there all the time.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

11. Senator Udall was on Up with Chris Hayes on Sunday and he thinks we'll get the "Talking" filibuster

[Filibuster Harry]

12. Latest I have heard: If it is being brought up it will be tomorrow. But it appears that 8

democrats might not vote for it and thus Harry Reid might not even bring it to a vote. There is another thread on this today listing the 8 and phone #s to contact. WE, the people of the USA, need the talking filibuster again.

[davidpdx]

13. There are still many senators on the fence

Boxer and Feinstein in California
Levin-Michigan
Baucus-Montana

I know there are a few more I can't think of the names right now. The two from California are the ones to put pressure on.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

14. Emailed senators Feinstein and Boxer again.

Here's what I sent them

Senator Boxer/Feinstein,

I have heard that you are not on board with the "talking" filibuster proposal that's being supported by a majority of democrats in the senate. If you’re not on board, it is imperative that you get on board. I don't buy the notion that democrats will regret adopting the "talking" filibuster if/when they are in the minority. Allowing a single senator or a couple of senators, to covertly block legislation from even being debated has ruined and crippled the senate. Senators who happen to be in the minority will still be able to obstruct, but they will need to be on record explaining why they object which will give the American people the chance to hear that senator's reasoning. If you're against the talking filibuster, as I have heard you are, why do you feel that it is not important for the American people to know why a piece of legislation is being obstructed and by whom? Why don't I deserve to know this? Why are you condoning this? I'd appreciate an email response back, or a telephone call, letting me know that you are on board. This is not a threat, but my vote for you in the future is going to depend on whether you're on board with the "talking" filibuster proposal or not. Please support the "Talking" filibuster.

Fellow Democrat and voter,

******** *****

[hopemountain]

15. Senator Reid will be presenting the options tomorrow at lunch

If you do not have a Democratic member of the Senate, please call Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid's office at 202-224-3542, and tell him to include the talking filibuster, and/or flipping the burden of the filibuster, in any package of Senate rules reforms.

[UCmeNdc]

16. Today is the day! 22 Jan 2013

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251278399