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Roadmap for Schumer and Senate Democrats to slow the Senate to a halt starting right now:
From 2010 by @imillhiser / @amprog
Thread:
From 2010 by @imillhiser / @amprog
Thread:
Obstruction tactic No. 1—endless debate
Senate rules make it very difficult to stop the serial speeches and actually hold a vote. Unless at least 60 senators agree to hold a vote, the speeches go on forever.
Senate rules make it very difficult to stop the serial speeches and actually hold a vote. Unless at least 60 senators agree to hold a vote, the speeches go on forever.
Obstruction tactic No. 2—endless debate over whether to debate
For almost all bills, dissenting senators have at least two opportunities to filibuster, once to prevent debate from starting and another time to prevent it from ending.
For almost all bills, dissenting senators have at least two opportunities to filibuster, once to prevent debate from starting and another time to prevent it from ending.
Obstruction tactic No. 3—endless debate over whether to negotiate
Applies to conferences, but can stall the working considerably.
Applies to conferences, but can stall the working considerably.
Obstruction tactic No. 4—forced debate on matters that have already been decided
Senators could force 30 hours of debate on every thing.
Once 60 senators break a filibuster—a process known as “cloture”—the dissenters can still force up to 30 hours of postcloture debate.
Senators could force 30 hours of debate on every thing.
Once 60 senators break a filibuster—a process known as “cloture”—the dissenters can still force up to 30 hours of postcloture debate.
Obstruction tactic No. 5—secret holds
No more Senate hotline. Everything through regular order. No more unanimous consent.
No more Senate hotline. Everything through regular order. No more unanimous consent.
Obstruction tactic No. 6—forcing a roll call vote on everything
Make them roll call vote on absolutely everything.
By drawing out the time required for each vote, a small minority of the senators can gradually run down the Senate’s clock.
Make them roll call vote on absolutely everything.
By drawing out the time required for each vote, a small minority of the senators can gradually run down the Senate’s clock.
Obstruction tactic No. 7—frivolous points of order
The tactic of forcing time-consuming roll call votes works best when used in conjunction with another tactic to maximize the number of votes taken.
The tactic of forcing time-consuming roll call votes works best when used in conjunction with another tactic to maximize the number of votes taken.
Obstruction tactic No. 8—frivolous amendments
Admittedly, the majority leader is less defenseless against this tactic than they are against many other obstructionist ploys.
Admittedly, the majority leader is less defenseless against this tactic than they are against many other obstructionist ploys.
Obstruction tactic No. 9—reading amendments aloud
Unless every single senator agrees to dispense with this requirement, each amendment must be read aloud after a senator offers it.
Unless every single senator agrees to dispense with this requirement, each amendment must be read aloud after a senator offers it.
Obstruction tactic No. 10—committee shenanigans
Muck up the committees, most business slows to a halt.
Muck up the committees, most business slows to a halt.
Read the full piece here: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/general/news/2010/09/28/8328/minority-rules/
