Senators Harkin and Shaheen introduced filibuster reform legislation today. Benen describes the very sensible plan like so:
If approved, the measure would not do away with extended debate altogether. Harkin proposes a new procedural model: the first go-around, the minority could demand a 60-vote majority, as is the case now. But if 60 votes aren’t there to end debate, a week or so later, 57 votes could bring the bill to the floor for a vote. If 57 votes aren’t there, it drops again and again, and after a month or so, a bare majority could approve cloture.
I think that preserves the current 60 vote rule and the ability of the minority to throw some weight around, but doesn’t bring the entire chamber to a screeching halt when 40 percent of the group wants to block, well, everything.
Nevertheless, the odds of this passing are slim.
