Thoughts on the filibuster

[shogunhb]

On the surface, a filibuster seems like heavy-handed obstructionism.  On the other, we just saw it used to excellent effect last night to block an anti-abortion bill in Texas, despite numerous and repeated shenanigans.  Many of my dear friends see this as an exception to an otherwise cumbersome and deplorable tactic

Comments

[barbarienne]

I think fillibusters are terrific, but I think they must be done as Wendy Davis did hers: where the person has to stand there and talk. And talk. And talk.

I don't think any of the parliamentary bullshit should be needed, either. If I were making the rules, they would be:

+ allowed to talk about anything they want. They could read a book out loud
+ should get a 10-minute recess bathroom break every four or five hours

But they cannot sit down, they cannot sleep, they cannot hand off the mic to anyone else.

BUT I would impose these same rules (except sitting) on the other members of the legislature. They can't leave, they can't eat, except the 10-minute recess. If they leave the room, they're out for good, can't come back in, can't vote.

[teddywolf]

There are already multiple ways to kill a bill, and the Senate has more ways than any other branch

[shogunhb]

To be fair, I was simplifying. Thanks for the additional info.
I guess my basic point is that there are more ways to kill legislation than to make legislation, and that's just fine by me.

[londo]

Nitpick: Filibuster does not stop cloture, cloture stops filibuster.