And here’s a suggestion for getting involved in a national issue. January 3, 2013 will mark an unusual opportunity for the United States Senate to improve upon archaic filibuster rules which prevent uncontroversial executive and judicial nominations from moving forward, while time and money continue to be wasted with delays at multiple redundant points in the legislation and appropriations process. Immediate action by Rhode Islanders can influence a very close vote on the following two sensible proposals:
To filibuster Senators will be required to go to the Senate floor to explain to the American people why they oppose a bill or nominee.
The motion to begin debating a bill, or to send a bill to conference with the House, will be non-debatable.
Senator Jack Reed voted “no” in January 2011 when a similar very close reform vote failed. After experiencing unprecedented obstruction, he may now be persuadable. Please call him toll free at 877-782-8274, or directly at (202) 224-4642, (401) 943-3100, or (401) 528-5200,
and email your opinion to: http://www.reed.senate.gov/contact/
Select “other” or any subject, and write your own message, or use mine: Please support Senators Harken, Merkley and Udall in their effort to make the 113th Senate accountable for all its rules via a vote on opening day, January 3, 2013. I urge you to adopt by a majority vote Senate rules which allow the majority to act, while protecting the minority’s desire to be heard.
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