If we can’t suspend the rules of the filibuster to pass the most transformational reform and sweeping civil rights bill in 50 years, well then, what the hell is the Senate for?
WASHINGTON Arguing the procedure was an invaluable legislative tradition that she would be hard pressed to do away with, Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) defended the Senate filibuster Friday as necessary for her to stay politically relevant. “For years, the Senate filibuster has been a critical tool that senators like myself have used in order to propel ourselves out of obscurity and into the spotlight,” said Sinema, adding that the ability to delay or block a bill protected a time-honored system in the United States government that had given her undue power based on a lack of proportional representation. “I admit our government has problems, but permitting Republicans to take the Senate floor to stymie a piece of legislation, which results in Krysten Sinema becoming the most talked-about senator in the news, is not one of them. Perhaps my Democratic colleagues should consider becoming relevant themselves, rather than removing the system that allowed my success.” At press time, Sine
WASHINGTON In an encouraging development for reform advocates, Senator Dianne Feinstein told reporters Wednesday she was considering eliminating the filibuster over the upcoming vote on the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. “Though I’ve opposed eliminating the filibuster in the past, I have the utmost trust in Senator Reed Smoot, whom I’ve been working across the aisle with consistently since 1903,” said Feinstein, who called upon her colleagues in Congress to join her in supporting what she hoped would become a nonpartisan effort between the Democratic, Republican, and Farmer-Labor parties. “While I have immense respect for businessmen like Henry Ford who have criticized these tariffs, ultimately, I must vote with my conscience. As more and more Americans turn to electric power, we must protect our farmers. I’m dedicated to working with President Hoover on this.” At press time, Feinstein added that she continued to oppose statehood for Alaska as aides escorted her back to her office
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called for President Biden to create a commission to study the Jan. 6 insurrection after Senate Republicans this week defeated a bill to establish a bipartisan panel to examine the riot.