It doesn't get much more narrow than what we have right now. Should Democrats be excited to have the majority? And today, it continues to primarily empower reactionary, conservative and predominantly white minority in Congress who benefit far more from its use than anybody else.ĬORNISH: Democrats have won the majority in part because of runoff wins in Georgia - in fact, a Black senator now coming from that state, which is a first. The filibuster is inextricably linked to the drive to oppress Black Americans. And it has always existed and been wielded primarily by senators who were interested in overriding progress against slavery and then overriding progress on civil rights. Calhoun, who was a father of the Confederacy and the leading advocate for the slave power in the Senate during his time there. It really was shepherded into existence by John C. It didn't come into existence until after all the Founding Fathers had passed away. JENTLESON: The filibuster did not exist when the Senate was first invented. In it, he traces the path of the filibuster through history. They happen out of sight.ĬORNISH: Jentleson has written a book called "Kill Switch" about the rise of the modern Senate. So filibusters today have been completely divorced from the idea of debate. Any senator can, simply by sending an email, impose a filibuster that doesn't just delay a bill, but raises the threshold from a simple majority for passage to a supermajority. The filibuster today is silent but deadly. Smith Goes To Washington." Author Adam Jentleson knows that because he worked on Capitol Hill as deputy chief of staff to the former Democratic majority leader Senator Harry Reid.ĪDAM JENTLESON: Gone are the days of the Jimmy Stewart speaking at length to try to block the powers that be from passing some egregious bill. They're right here.ĬORNISH: Well, a lot has changed since actor Jimmy Stewart made the filibuster the centerpiece of the 1939 film "Mr.
Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. JAMES STEWART: (As Jefferson Smith) Because this country is bigger than you or me or anything else. When classic movie fans think of a filibuster on the U.S.
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