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December 18, 2012
Senate Rules Are Broken: Join the Day of Action
The U.S. Senate rules are broken--that’s why union members
across the country will participate in a day of action on
Wednesday, December 19 urging senators to reform Senate rules.
The Help Fix the Senate Now coalition is planning a full-scale
lobby day on Wednesday to urge senators to adopt real reform of
the Senate rules.
In the past, our nation was able to adopt landmark legislation
that put in place workers’ rights, civil rights, retirement
security for seniors and much more. But today, obscure tactics
like the “silent” filibuster allow individual senators to hold
the nation’s work hostage while cutting backroom deals. The
House of Representatives passed 435 pieces of legislation that
were never even discussed in the Senate because current Senate
rules allow a single senator to block discussion of critical
issues. This gridlock has also prevented the appointment of
judges, creating a crisis in the nation’s judiciary system, and
has held up the confirmation of key presidential appointments.
For example, the confirmation of Harry Hoglander’s reappointment
to the National Mediation Board continues to be stalled in the
Senate.
This week, Senate leaders will decide what changes to propose
for a vote on rules reform at the start of the next Congress in
January. Our allies in the Senate are telling us that Senators
hear from union members now.
Call your Senators on Wednesday, December 19 to urge them to
support Senate rules reform. (See sample script below.) Call
1-888-966-9836 or text RULESREFORM or FIXTHESENATE
to 69866 and then ask your friends to
join you. Senate offices are open 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST.
The Fix the Senate Now coalition has targeted what could be a
golden moment of opportunity for constructive change: on the
first day of a new Congress, a simple majority of senators (at
least 51 votes) can change the rules.
Sample script:
When your call is answered, say: "I am calling to ask that the
Senator vote for meaningful rules reform including requiring a
talking filibuster. Please support Senate rules reform on the
first legislative day of the new Congress."
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