Senator Alexander, you know, calculated it would take us eight days to do four nominees, or four days to do eight nominees.
Many members of the Senate have said that this body is in crisis.
I think the Constitution answers that question: a determined majority can change the rules.
the old idea that if you wanted to filibuster, you had to get on the floor and make a spectacle of yourself... had been replaced by a more s...
The constitutional remedy was invoked by majority rule in 1975, and the compromise was adopted by a large bipartisan vote.
the filibuster should not be used to frustrate the very purpose of the Senate procedures, to foster discussion.
Obviously, if we had bipartisan consensus, we wouldn't have to debate whether we need 67, 60, or a majority.
I indict both parties for this conduct. It is not just the Republican Party that is now in the Minority.
Our appointments process now undermines the very purposes it was designed to serve.
There is a need to fix the system and some areas where we can agree.
I certainly favor some kind of a mixed package that, on the one hand, limits debate at least on some motions.