Filibuster

The Senate spend much of Thursday discussing changes to the Filibuster Rule. The main rule remains in force - it will still require 60 votes to break a filibuster through Cloture. However there are changes in rules and practices which should reduce the current problem.

As you might imagine - commentators take differing positions on what was achieved. Politico's main article is entitled "Filibuster reform goes bust" - stating "The youth of the Senate lost a fierce fight to the filibuster Thursday, proving once again that the institution can still crush the whims of the moment. If there’s any doubt that tradition trumped the fast-paced era, look to how the deal is described: a “gentleman’s agreement.” The Washington Post however is more upbeat noting that "Senate leaders announced a bipartisan deal Thursday to speed up the chamber's work by limiting the use of the filibuster and dropping the confirmation process for about 400 federal agency nominees...The broad agreement is the most significant change in the chamber's rules in 35 years."

An important truth arises - imposing restrictive rules alone won't bring a desired result. The cloture rule was introduced in March 1917. It was designed to reduce the impact of filibusters - it had the opposite effect. In 1975 Cloture was made easier - the required number to pass it was brought down to 60 - yet it has been used more frequently - eventually leading to the "crisis" we have recently seen. Any rule can, with a bit of imagination be thwarted or undermined. Goodwill, ultimately, is the only way to make procedures work. Without it - new ways will be found to thwart the effects of ones political opponents.
The complete days proceedings can be viewed below (warning - there is over 7 hours of material here - but it gives a good sense of what the Senate normally looks like. I did see some discussion & negotiation going on in front of the cameras - but normally - though that is a vital part of the work done in the senate - it isn't often seen on camera.