Editorial - Free Us from Minority Obstruction

A dearly held tenet of democracy is that the majority rules. But the way the United States Senate is operating, members of the minority party can block legislation by using the "procedural filibuster" that allows one senator to bring the Senate to a halt by refusing to allow the Senate to proceed. It takes 60 votes to cut off debate so legislation resumes progress.

The procedural filibuster is also being used to block presidential appointments by one senator placing a "hold" on the nomination. Senator David Vitter of Louisiana is currently doing that to delay the Environmental Protection Agency from moving forward to regulate formaldehyde. Vitter, who is up for re-election this year, relies on formaldehyde industry groups as one of his top campaign contributors.

A divided nation

The filibuster has a long tradition in the Senate, but in the past was rarely invoked and only under extreme circumstances. That it now is a commonplace tactic by Republican senators is a symptom of the breakdown of American commitment to pragmatism, to compromise in pursuit of the common good. These commitments require folks to work together, to trust each other and to seek ways to create a desired future, largely by focusing on the things that unite us, rather than the things that divide. A nation divided cannot stand.

Who won the election anyhow? It is clear that the Republicans are determined not to let Obama, or indeed the majority party, govern. And this is a problem beyond party loyalties because of the inability of the political process to proceed. All citizens interested in our common future should be fearful of the implications of one person being able to block legislation or presidential appointments.

Return to majority rule

Whether you are for or against any specific legislation, you should be against allowing minorities or even just one single senator to rule by obstructing legislation and presidential appointments. Returning the Senate to majority rule is possibly the most important challenge facing the United States Senate. Rule 22 that allows the procedural filibuster should be abolished.

Until that happens, if all the Democrats decided that they would invoke cloture whenever the Republicans tried to obstruct, and would do the same on appointments, the Republicans could no longer hold things up. The Democrats could then vote as they choose on the bill or nominee, but they could re-establish majority rule.

Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas has said she will vote against a health care reform bill that includes a public option. But she should still allow the Senate to at least vote on this issue by voting for cloture so a fair vote can be taken. Both of Arkansas' Democratic senators are critical to this issue of making sure the vote of Americans means something so the party that lost the election doesn't subvert the will of the people.

-- Becky Gillette