Republican Flip-Flop on Filibusters

Just four years ago, Republicans used every opportunity to decry filibusters as an unconstitutional procedure that they would never use. They even threatened to use the “nuclear option” to eliminate filibustering altogether. They were resentful of the small number of Democrat-led filibusters of extreme right-wing judicial nominees submitted by President W. Bush, most of whom were ultimately appointed. One phrase was every Republican senatorial lip: all the nominees deserved a fair up-or-down vote.

Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Missouri):
"It is a perversion of the intent of the Constitution and, if its use in this manner is not abandoned, then we must take steps to wipe it from the books. . . . A 60-vote standard is contrary to the Constitution."

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma):
This outrageous grab for power by the Senate minority is wrong and contrary to our oath to support and defend the Constitution."

Yet, now that the tables have turned, Republicans can’t seem to stop gumming up the works. The number of Democratic filibusters can be considered nothing more than modest relative to Republican overuse now.

Source: TPMDC

The GOP is a party of obstruction. In fact, the current 111th Congress may break the record number of filibusters for a two-year session by the end of the first term. Less than a year in, fifty-eight cloture motions have been filed so far.

The filibuster has metastasized from a procedure that was infrequently invoked to almost a de facto course of action for any legislation. Cloture motions have practically become the only way to further legislation, so that 60 has become the new 51. They have gone from renouncing the filibuster, to embracing it as their handy tool. The minority has stubbornly placed itself in front of legislation, both controversial and uncontroversial. Republicans are abusing the system and are obstructing the passage of important legislation that the majority of the American people support. Congress has somehow found itself in the middle of a tyranny of the minority.

One prominent example is the current debate over health care. The House’s Affordable Health Care for America Act passed by a majority vote of 220-215. But a majority vote in the Senate is not enough as 60 has become the standard. Debate has yet to begin for the Senate bill, and the general statement that the ruling will be made by Christmas is tentative and hopeful. We can be sure to expect Republicans to push for as many delays as possible, and some people say we can expect as many as three cloture votes. Senator Lieberman has already threatened to support a filibuster to prevent any public option from reaching debate.

Republican senators who once condemned the filibuster now use it more than ever before. They called for its abolishment, but now call on it excessively. It is a despicable practice that is obstructing legislation that the majority of Congress and the American people support. Congress must end their excessive use of the filibuster so that America can stop being stalled and move forward

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future