RIP The Filibuster: 1917-2021

Pamela​, do you know why we have the filibuster?

Tell the Senate: Dump the filibuster! SIGN THE PETITION! Pamela, do you know why we have the filibuster? It's not to promote bipartisan compromise. The filibuster exists because of an oversight in the Senate rules by Aaron Burr―yeah, the guy from Hamilton and that one Got Milk? commercial―that was weaponized by white supremacists throughout the 20th century. The Senate rule that created the filibuster was actually created not to create unlimited debate, but to give Senators a way to shut down obstruction. Mistakes belong in the garbage. The filibuster was a mistake. So we need to DUMP the filibuster. SIGN NOW: Tell the Senate to DUMP the filibuster. Right now, because of the filibuster, Republican priorities pass with 50 votes―they confirm judges, pass tax cuts, and even authorize drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge―but Democratic priorities like climate, gun safety, raising the minimum wage, and so much more require 60. The use of the filibuster exploded during the 21st Century―precisely as partisan polarization exploded as well. The filibuster doesn't force bipartisanship, it's a kill switch on our democracy. And a paralyzed Senate shifts the necessary lawmaking to unelected branches―either judges or executive branch regulations. This short-circuits our democracy, and it sucks. SIGN NOW: the Senate should dump the filibuster today! Thanks, Mike Phelan Progress America   P.S. Want to know more about the ACTUAL history of the filibuster? Check out Adam Jentelson's Kill Switch. Paid for by Progress America.   Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Progress America, please click here.