The Norman Transcript

Opinion

Discussion

February 11, 2013

Deal won’t solve problem

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Senate leaders last week reached a tentative deal to limit the filibuster — a tool that has been abused to the point of creating gridlock in Congress.

It’s difficult to get excited about the compromise reached between Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his counterpart, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., but it is at least a step toward reform.

The deal will only bar filibusters on motions to begin debating bills and only if members of each party are guaranteed the opportunity to offer at least two amendments. Some argue all the deal really does is speed up the process of breaking a filibuster with 60 votes. That could actually be counterproductive by legitimizing the idea that a 60-vote threshold is needed to pass any legislation in the Senate.

Many of those desiring real reform had hoped a deal would return filibustering to what it once was, when minority members who opposed a bill could take to the floor and talk for as long as they wanted. (Now, one senator can anonymously halt legislation and no one has to take to the floor.)

Some reformers had hoped Reid would use the so-called “nuclear option” and override GOP opposition by changing the filibuster rule on a simple majority vote. But Reid refused to take that drastic approach.

The filibuster was intended to give the minority a chance to weigh in on legislation without being ignored by the majority. It was never intended to require a super-majority vote on all legislation.

— The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion
  • Degrees of progress

    Oklahoma higher education institutions have been challenged to increase the number of students who graduate. The 1,700 graduate increase goal was soon passed and officials reported about 3,000 more degrees awarded last year over the ...

    June 19, 2013

  • City doesn’t need to spend $521K for enhancements

    Editor: The Transcript: I read reporter Joy Hampton’s report on June 12 regarding the recent city council meeting. After picking my jaw up from the table, I thought I must have misread the article. Surely it had to be a misprint that the ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Make shelter plans before the storms

    The debate over public storm shelters reminds us that at one time in Norman, residents actually took shelter inside the cavernous Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It was believed to be one of the safest structures in the city. Scientists now ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Recent lawsuit was frivolous

    Editor, The Transcript: I have been a lawyer for more than 50 years and have seen many changes in our judiciary, most of which I have disliked. Since the time I was sworn into the bar, our society has become more litigious, thinking that ...

    June 18, 2013

  • A short drought reprieve

    Oklahoma’s current respite from the drought may be short-lived. We’ve yet to reach 100-degree days where water use hits the peak and Norman turns the valve to buy water from Oklahoma City....

    June 18, 2013

  • Summertime warnings

    State and local health departments are sending out summer activity warnings. In recent weeks, we’ve received rabies, mosquito and teen driver warnings....

    June 18, 2013

  • Excuses for data sweep sound hollow

    Perhaps 2013 will go down as the year privacy and civil liberties became too inconvenient for government. Listening to assorted officials defend massive programs that scoop up vast amounts of data certainly gives that impression....

    June 18, 2013

  • Highway projects are wasteful

    Editor, The Transcript:   The transfer of moneys from the private sector to the government, by use of taxation, for example, should not be expected to affect economies. Both entities spend the money on jobs and on goods and services. Who ...

    June 16, 2013

  • California is doing just fine

    Editor, The Transcript: George Will owes California an apology for his numerous columns predicting the state’s impending collapse because of gross mismanagement of public funds....

    June 15, 2013

  • Plan leaves you high, dry

    Editor, The Transcript: Living in Oklahoma, being an “at will” employee is pretty common. If you are not familiar with the term, it simply means that the boss can fire you whenever he wants. This may apply to you and you don’t even know ...

    June 15, 2013