fresh voices from the front lines of change

Democracy

Health

Climate

Housing

Education

Rural

The filibuster used to be an important tool that gave the minority a voice in the Senate. But the Senate made a mistake and changed the rules, which enabled an obstructionist minority to block … everything. There have been more than 380 filibusters in just the last few years! It is time to change the rules back to the old "make them talk" system. Thursday, Jan. 3rd, is a day of action demanding that the Senate fix the filibuster and make them talk. So pick up the phone right now and urge your Senator to support Senate Rules Reform. Call 1-866-937-5062 or text FIXTHESENATE to 69866.

Filibuster Has Become Tool Of Obstruction

In recent years Senate Republicans have used the filibuster to block over 380 bills and nominations. There has been a terrible cost to the country as Republicans blocked bill after bill, solution after solution, nomination after nomination.

For too long now, this tactic has been misused and abused. Congress has stopped legislating effectively, with Senators using ridiculous dodge tactics to block real progress. They have used filibusters to block jobs, judges, disaster relief, the Dream Act, health care, and almost everything else. They have even filibustered their own bills!

As the new Congress convenes this month another effort is underway to reform the filibuster. This new proposal in front of the Senate to reform the filibuster returns to the form of filibuster that the public understands, namely talking all night.

Fix The Filibuster

We have a chance to restore the filibuster to its original purpose, but we need your help to do it.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rLAL5ngX40[/youtube]

(Visit http://on.fb.me/RqcQW7 to share this video.)

They should make them talk. This is a pro-democracy move. First, it stops the obstruction. Second, it allows senators with serious and honest problems with a bill to bring this to the attention of the public by holding a real, honest-to-goodness talkathon. Third, this would engage the public and give We, the People a chance to weigh in and agree or disagree with the objection.

Pick up the phone right now and urge your Senator to support Senate Rules Reform. Call 1-866-937-5062 or text FIXTHESENATE to 69866.

Things You Can Do

Pick up the phone right now and urge your Senator to support Senate Rules Reform. Call 1-866-937-5062 or text FIXTHESENATE to 69866.

Here is a sample tweet to use on Twitter: Silent. Invisible. The shocking truth of the U.S. Senate today and why we fight for Senate rules reform: http://on.fb.me/RqcQW7 #fixtheSenate

Click to Tweet: http://clicktotweet.com/W5m_2

Send an email. Click here for a sample email you can use as a template.

Visit Fix the Senate Now and sign up for updates.

There is a Fix the Senate Now Facebook page. “In the US Senate, back room deals and filibuster rules allow a handful of senators to stop the rest from making any progress. Let’s fix the Senate, now.”

Follow @FixTheSenate on Twitter.

Member Organizations

Here is a list of organizations in the FixtheSenateNow.org coalition:

AAUW
Action for the Common Good
AFL-CIO
AFSCME
Alliance for Justice
Americans for Democratic Action
Association of Flight Attendants - CWA
Brennan Center for Justice
Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
Campaign for America’s Future
Center for Media and Democracy
Center for Science and Public Interest
Clean Water Action
Common Cause
CREDO
CREW
CWA
Daily Kos
Democracy 21
Demos
Fair Action Alliance
Feminist Majority
Friends of the Earth
Gamaliel
Greenpeace
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Jobs with Justice/American Rights at Work
League of Conservation Voters
League of Women Voters
LULAC
NAACP
National Action Network
National Council of Women's Organizations
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
NEA
NOW
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Population Action International
Progressive Congress
Public Campaign
Public Citizen
SEIU
Sierra Club
Tides
TWU
UAW
UFCW
United Steelworkers
USAction
Voices for Progress
Woman's National Democratic Club
Women's Research & Education Institute

--

Pin It on Pinterest

Spread The Word!

Share this post with your networks.