Opinion | Gregory Koger: Without a change, the Capitol riot standoff will increasingly feel like business as usual. And behind closed doors silent filibustering, in the expansive sense of the term, ensures Senate obstruction is here to stay. -NBCNewsTHINK
,” I define a filibuster as “legislative behavior intended to delay a collective decision for strategic gain.” By this definition, a bill can be filibustered without coming up for a vote if senators expect it will face obstruction on the Senate floor.
In fact, threats of filibusters by Senate Republicans are already delaying several high-profile bills. Since January, House Democrats have demonstrated how efficient a chamber without filibustering — real or threatened — can be. In addition to the, the House has approved legislation to reform federal election laws, expand firearm background checks, reduce racial bias in policing, provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the country as minors, raise the minimum wage, ensure equal pay for women and nondiscrimination for LGBTQ people, and admit Washington, D.C.
And because everyone knows these bills will be delayed, Senate Democrats have been slow to start a process that will almost certainly end in failure.Both parties have expressed support for investing in infrastructure. And President Joe Biden would like to negotiate a bipartisan agreement.
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