Filibuster Resolution

 WHEREAS the principle of majority rule is fundamental to our democratic form of government, and the political party in the United States Senate which the voters have chosen to be in the majority is currently prevented from implementing the will of their constituents by virtue of Senate Rule 22 which requires a 60% super majority to end debate and proceed to a vote on any bill under consideration, and

WHEREAS Senate Rule 22 can be, and in recent history has been, flagrantly abused by the party chosen by voters to be in the minority, and  

WHEREAS Senate Rule 22 can be changed at the beginning of each new session, or at any time during a session by a simple majority vote if the Rule is deemed unconstitutional by the President of the Senate,

THEREFORE be it resolved that the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee hereby urges the current Democratic majority in the United States Senate to take action as soon as possible, but in no case later than the beginning of the next session, to amend Senate Rule 22 such that one or more of the following conditions is met:

· Debate can be ended by a simple majority vote, and/or

· Debate can be ended by something less than a 60% super-majority, and/or

· Unless granted a specific exemption by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader (with tie votes on such an exemption broken by the Vice President of the United States), those refusing to end debate shall be required to actually remain on the Senate floor and continue that debate until they are finished and/or are prepared to allow a vote on the bill under consideration.

Passed by SCCDCC March 4, 2010