Raw Story interview with Sen. Dick Durbin

[paineinthearse]

John Byrne does it again!

:yourock:

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/full_transcript_durbin_interview_518

A SENATOR IN FULL
Transcript: Raw Story interview with Sen. Dick Durbin

RAW STORY

The following is the transcript of RAW STORY's interview with Sen. Richard Durbin (R-IL) held Tuesday May, 17, 2005.

Raw Story’s John Byrne: The filibuster seems the issue of the day, and I wanted to chat with you quickly about that. Where do you see the endgame of the filibuster debate?

Democratic Senate Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL): First and foremost I hope we preserve the rules and traditions of the Senate that have been here for more than 200 years. I hope that we don’t do anything to diminish the Senate as an institution nor its role in protecting the checks and balance in our government. I think the nuclear option would be devastating. And I hope that the efforts by Senator Frist (R-TN) do not prevail. If we can succeed and find six Republican senators to stand with the Democrats, then I think we can return to the calendar and the business of the Senate. If, however, we destroy this tradition, and break the rules to do it, I’m afraid it’s going to create a very poisoned atmosphere in this chamber.

Raw Story: The filibuster was often invoked to block civil rights legislation, including anti-lynching laws in the 1920s and 30s. In the future, if the filibuster is used to block passage of legislation important to Democratic constituencies such as healthcare, minimum wage or gay rights, would the minority then regret defending the filibuster?

Durbin: Well, I can tell you, I was in college here in Washington during the civil rights debate and I loathed the filibuster because I wanted to see the civil rights legislation passed. But I understand now and as I look back on it that many of the people who shared my views on civil rights didn’t call for an end to the filibuster. They understood it was part of the tradition of the Senate. It meant that they had to work harder and wait longer to achieve their goals, but that will still be the case—it should still be the case—if the filibuster is still protected.

You have to get down to the heart of it. The heart of it is: the Senate is a different institution. It protects the rights of the minority, in a way that no other institution does in America. And for over 200 years, it’s been an important part of who we are in the Senate. Senator Frist wants to change it. He called the filibuster yesterday a procedural gimmick. Those are his words exactly. And that is very sad that Senator Frist would not understand the historic importance of this, this procedure, and the fact that it reflects on the very nature of the Senate as an institution.

much more.........

Article originally published May 18, 2005.