The Nation Takes Up Filibuster Reform

The Nation Takes Up Filibuster Reform

This session, the Senate has a chance to fix the filibuster—a reform we’ve been championing for years. Read our coverage by Christopher Hayes, Thomas Geoghegan, Senator Tom Harkin and William Greider.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

Over the past year, The Nation has been a champion of filibuster reform. "With the modern filibuster, senators can hold up bills without the public ever finding out their names," wrote Thomas Geoghegan in 2009. "No one’s accountable for obstructing. No senator runs the risk of looking like a fool. But while they’re up there concealing one another’s identity, the Republic is a shambles." This session, the Senate has a chance to amend the procedure that has foiled countless pieces of progressive legislation. Senator Tom Udall is leading a charge to have fifty-one senators vote against adopting the previous Senate’s set of rules, which would open up the filibuster, among other procedural measures that stymie worthy bills and shroud the Senate’s work in secrecy, for review and revision. Today, Harry Reid blocked action on the reform effort by bringing the Senate in and out of session so quickly that the rules were not considered. Jeff Merkley, another senator pushing reform, hopes the rules change will be considered January 23 or 24. Get up to speed on the issues at stake by reading key pieces from The Nation‘s coverage of filibuster reform:
Christopher Hayes, Fix the Filibuster
Thomas Geoghegan, The Case for Busting the Filibuster
Senator Tom Harkin, Fixing the Filibuster
William Greider, Stop Senator No

Can we count on you?

In the coming election, the fate of our democracy and fundamental civil rights are on the ballot. The conservative architects of Project 2025 are scheming to institutionalize Donald Trump’s authoritarian vision across all levels of government if he should win.

We’ve already seen events that fill us with both dread and cautious optimism—throughout it all, The Nation has been a bulwark against misinformation and an advocate for bold, principled perspectives. Our dedicated writers have sat down with Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders for interviews, unpacked the shallow right-wing populist appeals of J.D. Vance, and debated the pathway for a Democratic victory in November.

Stories like these and the one you just read are vital at this critical juncture in our country’s history. Now more than ever, we need clear-eyed and deeply reported independent journalism to make sense of the headlines and sort fact from fiction. Donate today and join our 160-year legacy of speaking truth to power and uplifting the voices of grassroots advocates.

Throughout 2024 and what is likely the defining election of our lifetimes, we need your support to continue publishing the insightful journalism you rely on.

Thank you,
The Editors of The Nation

Ad Policy
x