Dems & GOP Settle On Senate Rules Reform Package

Jan 27: According to an announcement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement on a rules package that includes a pledge by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) not to use the so-called "constitutional option" to seek to change Senate rules "in this or the next Congress." The "constitutional option" would allow the Majority Leader to call for a simple majority vote to approve a Senate Rule change [See WIMS 1/7/11].

 

    Senator Reid said, "We are making these changes in the name of compromise, and this agreement itself was constructed with the same respect for mutual concession. Senator McConnell and I both believe that our reverence for this institution must always be more important than party. And as part of this compromise, we have agreed that I won't force a majority vote to fundamentally change the Senate -- that is, the so-called 'constitutional option' -- and he won't in the future. The five reforms we are making, however, are significant. They will move us five steps closer to a healthier Senate."

    Under the terms of the agreement the Senate will hold votes on:

• Eliminating secret holds, including the right of senators to pass their secret holds to another anonymous senator to keep a rolling secret hold;
• Eliminating the delaying tactic of forcing the reading of an amendment that has already been submitted for 72 hours and is publicly available;
• Legislation to exempt about 1/3 of all nominations from the Senate confirmation process, reducing the number of executive nominations subject to Senate delays, which will be scheduled at a future date under the terms of an agreement reached by Sens. Mitch McConnell and Lamar Alexander, Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman and HSGA ranking member Sen. Susan Collins, along with Sens. Reid and Chuck Schumer.

    In addition, in a colloquy entered into the record: Sen. McConnell agreed not to use the constitutional option to seek to change Senate rules "in this Congress or the next Congress." [and] Sen. McConnell agreed to reduce use of the filibuster on motions to proceed and Sen. Reid agreed to reduce the use of "filling the tree" to block all amendments.

    Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, "While we didn't get everything we wanted to, the Senate will be a significantly better place with these changes. As a result of this agreement, there should be more debate, more votes and fewer items blocked by a single senator or a small minority of senators. Make no mistake about it: this agreement is not a panacea, but it is a very significant step on the road to making the Senate function in a better, fairer way. This would not have been possible without the continued insistence on change by Senators Tom Udall, Jeff Merkley and Tom Harkin [See related article below]. Their push to establish the Jimmy Stewart-style filibuster, which would require senators to actually hold the floor if they want to block a bill, is one I hope will be accepted by the other party in the future."

 

    Senator Reid said, "Our ability to debate and deliberate without the restraints of time limits is central and unique to the United States Senate. It's supposed to be that way.  It's in our DNA.  It's one of the many traits intentionally designed to distinguish this body from the House of Representatives, and from every other legislative body in the world.  It has always been central to the Senate, and it always should be. But when that arrangement is abused, we have to do something.  Not merely in the name of efficiency, or for the sake of a political party's fortunes in the next election.  We have to act because when abuses keep us from doing our work, they deter us from working together, and they stop us from working for the American people.  And within these four walls, it degrades the relationships that make the Senate run."

 

    Senator Reid provided a lengthy account of some of the recent abuses of Senate rules and the reasons identified many reasons why observers are saying the Senate is broken. He concluded saying, ""I know some want us to go even further.  There are just as many arguments for not going so far.  But remember this: We are making these changes in the name of compromise, and this agreement itself was constructed with the same respect for mutual concession. Senator McConnell and I both believe that our reverence for this institution must always be more important than party.  And as part of this compromise, we have agreed that I won't force a majority vote to fundamentally change the Senate -- that is, the so-called 'constitutional option' – and he won't in the future. The five reforms we are making, however, are significant.  They will move us five steps closer to a healthier Senate."

 

    Access the complete announcement and statement from Senator Reid (click here).

 

THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS
- Broken Senate Rules Have Stopped Efforts To Reform Them
- The Debate Begins On Regulatory Reform & Executive Order 13563
- More Details & Budget Clues On President's SOTU Message
- Environmental Groups Reaction To President's SOTU Message

(Click here for details)