Republicans On Track For Record Number of Filibusters
Saturday July 21, 2007
On Wednesday, I put together a table showing cloture motions filed since 1973. In this, the 110th, Congress, there have already been 49 motions for cloture. The most in any two-years was the 104th (1995-1996) with 82.
On Friday, McClatchy projected that 158 cloture motions are possible for the 110th Congress, if Republicans continue threatening filibuster at the current rate,
A cloture motion is filed to try to stop debate. To stop debate in the Senate requires 60 votes. With effectively a 51-49 majority, Democrats have trouble pulling together the 60 votes required to stop debate and call for a vote.
Although Iraq is possibly the most visible bone of contention, Republicans have used the filibuster to block votes on legislation dealing with immigration, energy, labor rights and prescription drugs. They also used it to block a vote of no-confidence on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.