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Filibuster Effects

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In 1837, the first filibuster took place in the Senate. This paved the way for future Congress members to hinder the passing of legislation. Due to the minority obtaining an excessive amount of power through this simple tactic, filibuster reform needs to happen now. This is because our country needs to focus on important issues including climate change, racial justice, and college tuition. This focus will improve our government and America as a whole through dealing with issues that really matter. Today, the filibuster is a common scene in the U.S. Senate. It has been in practice for over 150 years, defending the minority against the majority vote. Measures to limit filibusters are implemented in Congress currently, including Woodrow Wilson’s …show more content…

The first consequence would be the lack of bills passed in the Senate. With the implementation of the filibuster, the majority’s progress halts quickly effectuating the filibuster. Timothy Noah, a journalist for MSNBC, commented, “…the modern Senate is broken; its ability to pass laws is, by historical standards, greatly diminished, and has been for more than three decades” (Noah, “Harry Reid’s ban”) It is apparent the filibuster has decayed the productivity of Congress. Another consequence could be imminent if the Senate abolishes the filibuster. Filibusters are particularly beneficial for appointments to the Supreme Court. Since the appointment for a Justice is for life, this decision is very consequential. Filibusters in this case would make a point that a justice is an incorrect selection for the job and would limit the amount of erroneous …show more content…

Take the idea of DHS funding. This important issue needed to go through the Senate, and the Democrats used a filibuster, so that the motion would not pass. If the Democrats did not use this filibuster, the Republicans would pass the bill easily, while immediately after, President Obama would veto it. The reason the Democrats used a filibuster, was to identify with their party. These senators had to identify with their president or otherwise be ridiculed and shunned by their party. The political incentive to identify with a party, and argue against the other, created the use of this filibuster in the

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