All it takes is 40 votes to kill thousands
Filibuster Reform Is Essential to Enacting Gun-Safety Legislation
John Nichols, The Nation, on January 18, 2013 - 12:13 PM ET
President Obama says that, when it comes to congressional action on gun-safety legislation, “This time must be different.”
No longer should partisan obstruction be allowed to block congressional action on sensible reforms that are favored by great majority of Americans, the president says.
He’s right.
But Americans who want sensible gun laws need to recognize that to address mass violence the Senate must, when it convenes January 22, begin the process by addressing abuses of the filibuster power.
Even then, it won't be easy. There are plenty of shaky Democrats.
But those Democrats won't be put to the test unless there is a vote. And there is unlikely to be a vote on any major piece of gun-safety legislation without reform of the filibuster.
(More here.)
John Nichols, The Nation, on January 18, 2013 - 12:13 PM ET
President Obama says that, when it comes to congressional action on gun-safety legislation, “This time must be different.”
No longer should partisan obstruction be allowed to block congressional action on sensible reforms that are favored by great majority of Americans, the president says.
He’s right.
But Americans who want sensible gun laws need to recognize that to address mass violence the Senate must, when it convenes January 22, begin the process by addressing abuses of the filibuster power.
Even then, it won't be easy. There are plenty of shaky Democrats.
But those Democrats won't be put to the test unless there is a vote. And there is unlikely to be a vote on any major piece of gun-safety legislation without reform of the filibuster.
(More here.)
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