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Thank you to Sens. Rockefeller and Manchin for signing on to filibuster reform efforts in the next Congress. It's evident that something needs to happen. Filibusters do not work like most people think. Some possibilities include:
Among the chief revisions that Democrats say will likely be offered: Senators could not initiate a filibuster of a bill before it reaches the floor unless they first muster 40 votes for it, and they would have to remain on the floor to sustain it. That is a change from current rules, which require the majority leader to file a cloture motion to overcome an anonymous objection to a motion to proceed, and then wait 30 hours for a vote on it.
"There need to be changes to the rules to allow filibusters to be conducted by people who actually want to block legislation instead of people being able to quietly say 'I object' and go home," said Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
This is important, significant, and a huge step in the right direction.
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