Byron Dorgan: “I would say the reason, in most cases, is we have experienced in this Congress less cooperation and more determination…”

“I would say the reason, in most cases, is we have experienced in this Congress less cooperation and more determination to block almost anything than at any time I have seen in the 30 years I have served here. It doesn't matter what the issue is. We have had issues that are noncontroversial, that get 94 or 98 votes in favor of the issue, that have been blocked when brought to the floor on a motion to proceed. We have a noncontroversial issue, a motion to proceed brought to the floor on something on which there is no controversy, and it is subject to a filibuster, and then a cloture motion has to be filed. Then 2 days have to pass before it ripens. We have a cloture vote, and then following the cloture vote, the minority says: Well, we insist that the 30 hours postcloture be used. So 30 hours has to be burned off. Only then can you get to a vote on a noncontroversial issue. Then you have the vote, and it is 98 to 1.”