In a move that's as overdue as it is unexpected, every returning Senate Democrat has signed a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid calling for filibuster reform. The letter is not specific on what sort of reform they'd like to see, but the basic outline looks to take its cues from Sen. Jeff Merkley's proposal: Filibusters would require continuous debate on the floor of the Senate, and they would only be allowed once the bill is on the floor (no more filibustering the motion to debate a bill, for instance). Democrats would also like to see the dead time between calling for a vote to break a filibuster and actually taking the vote reduced.
The next order of business needs to be reform of the Senatorial Hold procedures. In order to place a hold on a bill or nomination, the senator should have to appear on the Senate floor dressed only in a thong and Crocs, and drink a half gallon of Mountain Dew before declaring their prerogative to block action. The hold would remain in effect as long as the senator remains in place, standing on one foot, and would expire when the senator urinates, or excuses him/herself to do so.
I say make it more interesting by combining some the filibustering rules with rugby rules.
It will have to be stand-up comity from now on.
That's a great idea. I really like the sound of "Senatorial scrumbags."
The next order of business needs to be reform of the Senatorial Hold procedures. In order to place a hold on a bill or nomination, the senator should have to appear on the Senate floor dressed only in a thong and Crocs, and drink a half gallon of Mountain Dew before declaring their prerogative to block action. The hold would remain in effect as long as the senator remains in place, standing on one foot, and would expire when the senator urinates, or excuses him/herself to do so.