Washington, DC – Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, released the following statement today following Senator Mark Udall’s (D-CO) introduction of a bill to reform the filibuster.
“The U.S. Senate has been mired in gridlock and partisan games for far too long. We’ve been prevented from moving forward on important issues like strengthening our economic recovery and creating jobs. It is time for action and it is time for reform.
“I applaud Senator Udall for his thoughtful proposal to reform the filibuster. Bringing a new voice to the issue helps us continue to build momentum for improving the Senate’s rules so we can actually get back to doing Colorado’s business.”
In March, Bennet introduced an innovative and common-sense proposal to reform the filibuster process as key component of his sweeping Plan for Washington Reform.
In July, Bennet’s Resolution to Improve the Senate Cloture Process, S. Res 440, made headway when he testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which held a hearing on two proposals to reform the filibuster. Bennet’s proposal would encourage the two parties to work together, end secret holds and bring an end to needless, partisan delay. Click here for video of Bennet’s testimony.
S. Res. 440 would reduce the time of debate on filibustered legislation that has broad bipartisan support. It would also eliminate the filibuster on the motion to proceed so that the Senate can get back to debating important issues, and it end secret holds, the most antidemocratic form of the filibuster. It would also force filibustering Senators to actually show up and vote in order to sustain their procedural tactic. For more info on Bennet’s proposal to reform the filibuster, please click here.
In total, Bennet’s Plan for Washington Reform would prevent increases in salaries of Members of Congress; usher in sweeping limits on Members of Congress and their staffs from becoming lobbyists; provide more transparency and accountability in the earmarking process; reform the filibuster in a responsible and practical way; eliminate secret holds; and implement new rules for campaign finance.