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FILIBUSTER
REFORM
RESTORING THE TRADITION THAT ALL SIDES ARE HEARD &
SENATORS STAND FOR THEIR PRINCIPLES
HISTORY OF
THE FILIBUSTER
The filibuster was created to give the minority a chance to draw attention to its priorities, and it helped ensure important bills would be fully and openly debated.
For most of our history, that is how it was used. But it recent years, the rules were changed so any Senator could block any bill from consideration or debate without having to do any work or defend their action.
Both Parties have changed the filibuster rules in recent years, and the Senate recently considered a return to the talking filibuster in which Senators who want to block a vote need to do the hard and open work of holding the floor and explaining why. This reform was blocked by 52 Senators.
SIGN THE
PETITION
Our democracy flourishes when every voice is heard and ideas are shared and debated in the open.
Together, we call on our elected officials to reform the filibuster in order to ensure a Senate in which our leaders are required to stand up for their principles through the talking filibuster, not the secret filibuster where they never stand up and proclaim their beliefs.