Playing with the rules of the US Senate?

A service of National Write Your Congressman Friday, December 28, 2012www.nwyc.com get in touch Follow us on Twitter! phone: (214) 342-0299fax: (214) 324-2455address: 2435 N Central Expressway, Suite 300 Richardson, Texas  75080-2770 www.nwyc.com   Senators Not in Office After Jan. 3rd Retired  Olympia Snowe, R-ME Ben Nelson, D-NE Herb Kohl, D-WI Daniel Akaka, D-HI Jeff Bingaman, D-NM Jon Kyl, R-AZ Jim Webb, D-VA Joseph Lieberman, I-CT Kent Conrad, D-ND Kay B. Hutchison, R-TX   Defeated Scott Brown, R-MA Defeated by Elizabeth Warren, D Richard Lugar, R-IN Defeated by Richard Mourdock, R, in a primary Our reaction to the NWYC letter:  Agree with Part 1, but Part 2 may be asking to much?

National Action Alert Filibuster Rules  Mr Robin B Tucker, What is a filibuster?Unlimited debate. It's used in the Senate to block passage of a bill. Teamwork is often required as a group of senators holds the floor for days and even weeks. Of course, individual senators can filibuster. South Carolina's Strom Thurmond holds the record. A filibuster may be stopped by adoption of a cloture motion, which allows for a vote on passage. For adoption of a cloture three-fifths (sixty) of all senators is needed. The Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has vowed to change the filibuster rules. He wants filibustering senators to go back to doing it the old-fashioned way – talking on the Senate floor nonstop. He also wants the rules changed so that final votes only can be filibustered. Procedural steps could not be filibustered. He does not want to do away with filibusters. Currently, senators who wish to filibuster a piece of legislation declare a filibuster and leave the chamber. To change the Senate rules, 67 votes (two-thirds) are required. That means 12 Republicans would need to vote for the filibuster changes. Those in favor of changing the filibuster rules say the Senate has become an ineffective and dysfunctional body as it has held up legislation 389 times since 2007. They add that while a filibuster is fundamental to the democratic process, it is not mentioned in the Constitution. Those against changing the filibuster rules say that historically filibusters have kept the majority party from pushing through legislation that the minority party does not favor. They add that filibusters are a prime weapon minority members have to stall legislation, and say that as a weapon, it should not be weakened. It is protection from tyranny of the majority over the minority. Are you in favor of changing filibuster rules? (Click Here) Take action and voice your opinion now!