The Filibuster

What is a Filibuster?

It is when someone stands there for like 24 hours and does not stop talking to block a vote. 60 votes are needed to override it.

It only takes 50 votes to pass a bill, but it takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster. That is why people care so much about 60 votes. But remember, a filibuster is not a term for getting 60 votes - only to block some guy talking for 24 hours.

The Democrats - most notably Harry Reid - often do not go through with the passage of bills because the Republicans threaten a filibuster. But instead of just canceling its passage, Reid should start making the Republicans ACTUALLY filibuster. Make them talk for 24 hours, or whatever, so that the bill does that past. That way, when people wonder why nothing has changed in the White House, the answer will not be:

"The Democrats could not get 60 votes to block the Filibuster."

It will be:

"Senator Mitch McConnell reads from Moby Dick for 24 hours."

One makes it sound like the Democrat's fault. The other makes it sound like Mitch McConnell is an idiot.

Start making the Republicans actually filibuster instead of simply letting them threaten it. If Harry Reid does not start doing that, he needs to be ousted as majority leader.