Senate Democrats Drop Campaign to Limit Filibuster

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON — Democratic advocates of an overhaul of Senate rules to curb the filibuster abandoned that effort on Wednesday, clearing the way for a bipartisan agreement to institute less sweeping changes to ease procedural gridlock.

After a lengthy meeting with their colleagues and clear signs that they lacked the votes to try to force through new restrictions on the filibuster, the lawmakers — Senators Tom Udall of New Mexico, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Tom Harkin of Iowa — said they would relent now but press their case over the long term.

“While I’m disappointed this body lacks the necessary will to enact truly substantive reforms, we have certainly succeeded in bringing reform to the forefront and shining a light on the sources of our dysfunction,” Mr. Udall said. He added that he was committed to “making sure the Senate is more than just a graveyard for good ideas and we are able to address the challenges we face as a nation.”

The Democrats had never championed elimination of the filibuster, but sought to reduce its use and to require senators taking part in any blockade to be represented on the floor while doing so.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/us/politics/27cong.html

[obxhead]

1. They should have done it in 05 when they had the votes. nt

[LonePirate]

2. Fret not! The Repubs will eliminate the filibuster the next time they have 51 senators

They will never out themselves in a position to endure the nonsense and obstruction they perpetrated the past few years.

[gratuitous]

3. All 53 Democrats in the Senate signed on; what happened?

Remember? They all signed a letter that they wanted some changes:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20101223/pl_yblog_theticket/democratic-senators-want-filibuster-reform

So, does this look like change? A half-assed agreement that depends on the Republicans to keep their word? Fuh. King. Ay.