A ploy for power or a return to Democratic ideals?

Does Mr. Smith deserve a chance?

One of the first bills to be debated in the Senate is the Mr. Smith bill, which changes the way Senators are allowed to filibuster. This bill has been brought up with nearly every Congress, does it have a shot this time? Is it a return to the way it used to be or is it a desperate ploy for power from the Democrats after being walloped in the midterms?

Filibusters of today are used to block the opposing party's agenda, they are used as viciously and easily by both parties. This bill would bring back the spirit of the filibuster and make it less a political smart bomb. Currently you can place "secret holds" on any bill where it is completely anonymous and the senator does not have to go on record to support or defend his decision to block any bill. You don't have to show up on the floor to hold a bill, and it requires a cloture motion to break this filibuster, which means nearly every bill to pass through the senate needs a majority of 60 votes to pass. Often filibusters are used to thwart the President's agenda. This slows down the Congress and doesn't allow for movement on a bill without 60 votes for it in the first place. This noble parliamentary tradition is being abused by both parties to gain the upper hand.

The new bill would require that senators show up on the floor to filibuster a bill, during the times of Mr. Smith, a filibuster required a Senator to hold the floor as long as he holds the floor. You had to stand and keep speaking, you could not sit down, or lean against anything. You have to keep talking and your not allowed to leave the chamber for any reason. The rules about filibusters were strict because the framers did not want it to be used except for extreme circumstances. This bill also mandates that a vote is to being the second the Senator speaking gives up control of the floor. To appease the opposition more room will be allowed to place amendments on these bills, this allows more pork projects and millions of dollars to be added to any bill. To change the status quo requires a super majority which is 61 votes. These votes will be coveted with the slim margin of 51 Democrats to 49 Republicans.

This tactic has been used by every Senate throughout history but in the last 30 years it has been used more then in the 200 years, it has become corrupt and a burden to American lawmaking. Mr. Smith goes to Washington is an inspirational story, one of the early movies which made me fall in love with politics, his noble pursuit to block a bill ended being the greater good. The filibuster is a tradition from early colonial times, it deserves to be honored for it's principle. It should not be used to get back at the school bully who stole your lunch money during the last 4 years.

I like this bill, it's about time this practice was examined. A filibuster is democracy in action and it has become a policy of inaction. America should see who is for and against legislation, they should hear the debate and argue the reasons. The filibuster allows any guy who feels like he doesn't have a voice to be heard and recognized by our federal government, we should stay true to Mr. Smith. However, the ideal of the filibuster is probably not why the Democrats are pushing this bill. Democrats suffered a blow as more Republicans gained control of the House. This bill would ensure passage of many bills which otherwise might not even come to a vote. In the next few weeks you will hear Democrats saying these things, but the truth is this; Republicans now have too much control and this is a political ploy to regain power and to get more money for pet projects. Republicans also know that if this measure is passed then when they have the power over the White House and Congress they will have an easier time getting their policies passed. This is really a win-win for both parties but how much you want to bet this bill gets filibustered by Republicans? 61 votes will be hard to get especially when some Democrats don't want the bill because they know they will lose their upper hand when the balance of power shifts. This is a power ploy but maybe it's a return to the way it should be.