The first step to reforming behavior is admitting there’s a problem. This applies to Congress too. On Thursday, the Senate Rules Committee took a look at the history of one Senate rule, the filibuster rule. Seeing how this rule has been abused more and more in recent years, by both parties, I think reveals a pretty serious problem.
In the Senate today, legislation is often stalled by the mere threat of a filibuster – meaning a minority of senators can prevent a majority from acting.
But when we take a look at the history of the Senate, we realize two things: First, the filibuster was not a device crafted by the framers of the Constitution to obstruct legislation — it found its way into our system much later on. Second, use of the filibuster has transformed from a rarely and judiciously used procedural tool of debate to a routine weapon of partisan obstruction.
In my opening remarks at the Rules Committee hearing, I pressed for the Senate to embrace its Constitutional authority and adopt the Senate’s Rules of procedure at the beginning of the 112th Congress. I call this the Constitutional Option and I believe it’s the best way to break the Senate out of gridlock so we can better work for the American people.
We had a great panel of speakers and it was helpful to get their input on how the rules have been reformed in the past.
At the upcoming hearings, we will take a closer look at the recent filibuster abuses and at possible ways to amend the rules. We have identified the problems with the Senate rules, and these hearings will be a crucial way for us to look at all the options on the table before the beginning of the 112th Congress next January.
Also be sure to read the commentary piece I wrote for NMPolitics.net about the Constitutional Option this week titled, Making Washington Work for New Mexico .
