Filibuster Debate Stalls Senate

Debate over whether and how to change the filibuster has, ironically, stalled the Senate, which has been on recess since January 5 while leaders negotiate filibuster changes. With 47 Republicans and many senior Democrats against any adjustments to the rules, there isn’t much chance for major change, but Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are trying to make tweaks to the margins, like banning secret holds and making agency nominations easier. Meanwhile, Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are pushing the novel option of a party-line vote that would require Vice President Biden to reinstate the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington-style talking filibuster, which was done away with in 1975. That change was almost two decades in the making.