The Filibuster FAQ: Fact, Fiction, and Why We Need Reform The Filibuster FAQ: Fact, Fiction, and Why We Need Reform
The Senate has a chance to redeem its dysfunction and implement needed reforms to its own rules when it convenes a new session today.
Jan 4, 2011 / John Nichols
Filibuster Reform At Last? Filibuster Reform At Last?
Why the next Congress should alter this outdated and anachronistic tool.
Dec 28, 2010 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
Christmas, Congress And The Times That Try Men’s Souls Christmas, Congress And The Times That Try Men’s Souls
Republican senators attacked Harry Reid for keeping the chamber working as the Holiday approached. What would these Tories have told George Washington and the troops who were prepa...
Dec 24, 2010 / John Nichols
Lame Duck Congress Victories Lame Duck Congress Victories
The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the passage of a landmark food safety bill and the narrow defeat of the DREAM Act all prove that organizing and educating across issues reall...
Dec 22, 2010 / The Editors
Arlen Specter’s Deliciously Bitter Farewell to Fellow Senators: You’re a Bunch of Cannibals! Arlen Specter’s Deliciously Bitter Farewell to Fellow Senators: You’re a Bunch of Cannibals!
Edgy as ever, Arlen Specter bids farewell to the Senate with accusations of cannibalism, griping about the decay of deliberation and some smart proposals for reforming a dysfunctio...
Dec 22, 2010 / John Nichols
Katrina vanden Heuvel on the Diane Rehm Show: Lame Duck Congress Successes Katrina vanden Heuvel on the Diane Rehm Show: Lame Duck Congress Successes
The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", a food safety bill, the tax compromise: How has a Congress that took significant hits during the midterm election managed to get s...
Dec 20, 2010 / Press Room
Rejecting Bigotry and Bitter-Ender McCain, Senate Scraps Ban on Gays in the Military Rejecting Bigotry and Bitter-Ender McCain, Senate Scraps Ban on Gays in the Military
After a two-decade campaign, LGBT groups and their allies celebrate the removal of the last major hurdle to ending discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military.
Dec 18, 2010 / John Nichols
Obama Gets His Tax Deal, Reanimating Reaganomics Obama Gets His Tax Deal, Reanimating Reaganomics
With the deal now done, key Democrats warn about mounting deficits and threat to social programs, with Oregon's Peter DeFazio declaring: "This is a raw deal for seniors, taxpa...
Dec 17, 2010 / John Nichols
After House Votes Against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Will Senate Finish the Job? After House Votes Against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Will Senate Finish the Job?
House votes 250-175 to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Log Cabin Republicans tell Senate Republicans, it's time to stop stalling and let ready-and-able patriotic A...
Dec 16, 2010 / John Nichols
Senate Priority #1: Fix the Filibuster Senate Priority #1: Fix the Filibuster
At the start of the next session of Congress, Senate Democrats can check Republican obstructionism by reforming the filibuster.
Dec 15, 2010 / Ari Berman