Political Quotes

“Madam President, efforts to reform the motion to proceed have continued since. In 1984, a bipartisan Study Group on Senate Practices and Procedures recommended placing a 2-hour limit on debate of a motion to proceed. That recommendation was ignored. In 1993, Congress convened the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress. That was a bipartisan, bicameral attempt to look at Congress and determine how it can be a better institution. My predecessor, Senator Domenici, was the co-vice chairman of that committee. He was a long-time Republican here, and he supported that. The third provision in the resolution is included based on the comments of Republicans at last year's Rules Committee hearings. Each time Democrats complained about filibusters on motions to proceed, Republicans responded that it was their only recourse because the majority leader fills the amendment tree and prevents them from offering amendments. Our resolution provides a simple solution, guaranteeing the minority the right to offer amendments. The fourth provision in the resolution, which Senator Merkley will cover extensively, is regarding the talking filibuster. We want to replace a silent filibuster with a talking filibuster. Finally, our resolution reduces postcloture time on nominations from 30 hours to 1. Postcloture time is meant for debating and voting on amendments--something that is not possible on nominations.…”