Let’s consign the filibuster to history

The Republicans “deployed the nuclear option” a couple of weeks ago, says Jamelle Bouie. Faced with an attempt by opponents to block Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, they made good on their threat to rewrite the Senate rules. Their reform has lowered the number of votes needed to end a filibuster preventing the confirmation of a judge: instead of 60 votes, a simple majority of 51 now suffices. Having thus successfully neutered the judicial filibuster, will Republicans seek to kill off the legislative filibuster as well, to facilitate the passing of laws? GOP leaders insist they have no plans to do so – which, as I see it, is a very great pity. For whether or not you approve of the current Republican agenda, making it easier for parties to pass legislation will, in the long run, make for a more democratic Congress. The filibuster – a 19th century rule that has nothing to do with the Constitution – supposedly prevents the tyranny of the majority. But in today’s extremely polarised environment, it has become a tool of routine obstructionism, leading to Washington gridlock. That might suit small-state obsessives, but not those who want leaders actually to get things done. The party that wins an election should have the ability to deliver on its promises, so that voters can clearly judge its successes and failures. “Let the filibuster burn!”