Kill the Filibuster, Kill the Excuses: Why It’s Time to Let the Majority Rule

🧨 Kill the Filibuster, Kill the Excuses: Why It’s Time to Let the Majority Rule

For decades, the filibuster has been the Senate’s favorite excuse for inaction. It’s the procedural wall that stops bills cold unless 60 senators agree to move forward. Sounds like a safeguard, right? In practice, it’s become a tool for gridlock, blame-shifting, and political theater — while the American people suffer the consequences.

⚖️ What Is the Filibuster — and Why Does It Matter?

The filibuster isn’t in the Constitution. It’s a Senate rule that allows unlimited debate unless 60 senators vote to end it (invoke “cloture”). That means even if a bill has majority support — say, 51 votes — it can’t pass unless it clears the 60-vote hurdle.

This matters most during budget fights and shutdown threats. Continuing Resolutions (CRs), which temporarily fund the government, often get blocked by filibusters. The result? Missed paychecks, closed parks, frozen services — and a Congress that points fingers instead of solving problems.

🔥 What If We Removed the Filibuster?

Removing the filibuster would force the party in power to own its decisions. No more hiding behind “procedural rules.” If they want a bill passed, they’d need to deliver the votes — and face the consequences.

✅ Pros:

• Clear Accountability: The majority party can’t blame the minority for obstruction.

• Faster Action: Shutdowns, budget delays, and urgent reforms could be resolved without endless debate.

• Democratic Clarity: Voters would know exactly who’s responsible — and could vote accordingly.

❌ Cons:

• Less Stability: Laws could swing wildly with each election cycle.

• Fewer Guardrails: Minority voices might get steamrolled.

• Higher Stakes: Every vote becomes a potential flashpoint.

But here’s the truth: we’re already suffering under the current system. Shutdowns drag on. Laws get passed but never repealed. Agencies grow bloated and untouchable. The filibuster doesn’t protect us — it protects Congress from doing its job.

🧠 The Other Way to Kill a Law: Defund It

Even if a law can’t be repealed — like Obamacare or the Department of Education — Congress can still make it irrelevant. How? By cutting off its funding.

• No Money = No Action: If an agency or program isn’t funded, it can’t operate, even if the law still exists.

• Quiet Kill Switch: Defunding is how Congress starves laws it can’t politically afford to repeal.

• Used Often: Environmental rules, education mandates, and healthcare programs have all faced this tactic.

It’s not elegant, but it’s effective. And it’s one more reason why the filibuster needs to go: so Congress can act decisively — whether to fund, defund, or finally take responsibility.

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Bottom Line:

If Congress wants the vote, give them the vote — and the blame. Kill the filibuster. Kill the excuses. Let the chips fall where the voters decide.