Thomas Geoghegan on the Case for Busting the Filibuster

Full video: http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/16/thomas_geoghegan_on_the_case_for

Democracy Now! Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Senate Republicans are currently using the filibuster to paralyze the Senate and derail Democratic initiatives, according a McClatchy Newspapers investigation. Since President Obama took office, Republican senators have used the filibuster to stall legislation on healthcare reform, global warming, and financial regulation and the confirmation of fifteen Obama nominees. Last week, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Tom Harkin introduced a bill aimed at curtailing the filibuster. Their proposal would gradually reduce the number of votes required to overcome a filibuster, so a simple majority of fifty-one votes could eventually end debate. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid dismissed their efforts, noting that changing the rule would require sixty-seven votes. We speak with attorney and writer Thomas Geoghegan, a vocal advocate of ending the filibuster.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• democracy now
• democracynow.org
• amy goodman
• goodman
• thomas geoghegan
• geoghean
• filibuster
• healthcare
• harry reid
• senate
• congress

[vinayakaya]

What a load of shit! Gridlock is the best we can hope for with the two corrupt parties running things. Long live the filibuster!