Mikulski Opens Fire on the Filibuster

The Senate repugs are begging for it, and it's time to give it to them. Right up the ass.

Firedoglake:

On the Senate floor just now, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) extended the debate over unemployment benefits, which should pass in a matter of hours, to its logical conclusion – the incessant gridlock and comic dysfunction of the “world’s most deliberative legislative body” is entirely a function of outdated Senate rules which must be changed. Here’s a rush transcript of the heart of her remarks.

(MS. MIKULSKI) WE HAD TO DILLY-DALLY AROUND FOR MONTHS AFTER MONTHS WITH THE OBSTRUCTIONIST TACTICS OF THE OTHER SIDE USING OUT-OF-DATE PROCEDURES OF THIS INSTITUTION THAT BELONG IN ANOTHER CENTURY AND ANOTHER ECONOMY. MY CONSTITUENTS ARE FRUSTRATED. THEY’RE FRUSTRATED ABOUT THEIR LIVES. THEY’RE FRUSTRATED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY. AND THEY’RE SURE FRUSTRATED WITH THE UNITED STATES SENATE, AND PUT ME IN THAT CORNER. IT’S TIME WE NOT ONLY GET THE COUNTRY MOVING, IT’S TIME WE GET THE SENATE MOVING. WE HAVE TO FIRST LOOK AT REFORM FOR OURSELVES, AND I WANT EVERYONE HERE TO KNOW, I’M ON THE SIDE AND DEFINITELY PART OF THE REFORM MOVEMENT IN THIS INSTITUTION TO GET RID OF OUT-OF-DATE PROCEDURES THAT BELONG TO ANOTHER CENTURY WHOSE ONLY JOB IT IS IS NOT TO SLOW US DOWN SO THAT WE DO DUE DILIGENCE BUT THAT WE DON’T DO ANYTHING AT ALL.

Until this year, we’ve heard Senators grumble about their rules only on an every-decade-or-so basis. This really is reaching a fever pitch now, and while I don’t know if 50 votes can be found to return the country to majority rule and out of the grips of the 60th Senator, certainly there are plenty more members of the chamber determined to have this happen now. Even if it fails at the start of the next Congress, it should be a major focus for progressive advocates. The House is not an invalid body because it’s majoritarian. Neither is the Supreme Court. Neither are the hundreds of majoritarian legislatures around the country and around the world. The move to let the Senate join that club is just beginning.

Fifteen weeks from the November election, it's the only thing that can save not just the Democrats, but the country.