Thread by @kazweida

This morning we're pondering what would need to happen to get rid of the filbuster.

If Dems could miraculously get Sinema and Manchin behind the effort, what are the steps to removing the filibuster?

Here's what would happen next.
(THREAD)

(2) Let's make sure we're on the same page about WHAT the filibuster is. It's a Senate cloture rule requiring 60 members to end debate & move to a vote.

And given the ever-widening partisan divide, it's the source of a lot of gridlock in Washington.

washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/…

(3) Dems have several options for manuevering past the filibuster. And it doesn't mean they'd have to shelve the rule entirely. They could place restrictions on its use.

Currently the cloture rule doesn't apply to budget reconciliaton and nominations.

brookings.edu/policy2020/vot…

(4) I won't go into the history and all the myriad reasons that the filibuster is a tool of oppression and minority rule.

But I will say it's clearly being weaponized by the Senate for the last few decades to stop progressive legislation supported by most Americans.

(5) Changing the actual text of the Senate cloture rule #22 is unlikely because it would require 2/3 majority vote.

Instead, Dems would likely create a new precedent. This is nicknamed "going nuclear." And those GOP hypocrites do it all the time.

nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

(6) The other option would be to create a "mini-nuke." rule. A much smaller weapon that allows Dems to suspend the filibuster only for certain kinds of votes or motions.

But this approach still provides a path for Republicans to obstruct legislation.

usnews.com/news/politics/…

(7) Another option is to weaken the Byrd Rule, which specifies what can be part of the budget reconciliation process which is exempt from the filibuster.

Or Dems could ignore the Senate parliamentarian and proceed, undercutting the Byrd Rule.

indivisible.org/resource/legis…

(8) Nullifying the filibuster is still pretty controversial among moderates, including Sinema and Manchin. But there is widespread consensus that the filibuster needs to change.

Sen. Merkley has been pushing for filibuster reform for the last decade.

nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

(9) There is strong support to return to a "talking filibuster" requiring members to hold the floor. However, many warn that it may not be enough to curtail use of the filibuster.

Even Biden seems to have soured on it recently as a solution.

vox.com/2021/3/16/2233…

(10) Weakening the Byrd rule or setting a new Senate precedent seem to be the most plausible way forward for Dems seeking to curtail use of the filibuster.

But they better do it soon because voting rights (and climate change) won't wait.

usatoday.com/story/news/pol…

(END) Thanks for stopping by for our Sunday thread, suggestion courtesy of @TerryGMDean . Stop by next weekend and we'll do this again.

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