Thursday, May 17, 2012 | 2 a.m.
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As Nevada state coordinator for No Labels, a nonpartisan organization working to break hyperpartisan gridlock in Washington, I’d like to thank Sen. Harry Reid for calling for filibuster reform.
The purpose of the filibuster is to prevent the majority party in the Senate from forcing its agenda. In the 1960s, it was used an average of seven times a year. Now the average use per Senate term is more than 100. It used to be a senator had to be present and speak. Now all it requires is a notice of intent.
No Labels considers the filibuster one of the major causes of gridlock and recommends returning to the requirement of being present and speaking, along with not allowing a filibuster on motions to proceed, bringing a bill to the floor for debate.
To reform the filibuster, the Senate needs to change its rules. As the majority leader, Sen. Reid can make this happen.
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