Fix the Senate: Support Senate Rules ReformThe current rules that govern the Senate are hurting our democracy. Obscure rules like secret holds and filibusters allow individual Senators to hold the nation's work hostage while cutting backroom deals. They give preference to the special interests that fund and further their careers. The rules have prevented progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and the Public Safety Officers collective bargaining act, despite strong support, because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster. In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, the Senate’s rules must be updated. A resolution has been introduced which would restore accountability to the Senate by:
Use our online action tool to send a message to your Senators asking them to co-sponsor this resolution or thanking them if they are already a co-sponsor. Note: If one of your Senators is already a co-sponsor and one is not, you will see two different versions of the letter, one for each Senator. |