U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Embraces Strongest Filibuster Reform Measure

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Press Release

January 23, 2013

CONTACT:

Jay Heck – 608/256-2686

TAMMY BALDWIN EMBRACES STRONGEST FILIBUSTER REFORM MEASURE
SIGNS ONTO MERKLEY-UDALL RESOLUTION

Last Thursday, Common Cause in Wisconsin sent Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin this letter, urging her to support the strongest filibuster reform measure that the United States Senate is expected to consider when it grapples with this matter this week -- perhaps, even as early as today.

Yesterday, Senator Baldwin's office contacted CC/WI and informed us that she was signing on as a co-sponsor and would vote for the Merkley-Udall Resolution that would preserve the filibuster option but require that it be a "real" one -- with non-stop talking and holding possession of the Senate floor as the filibuster used to be for years, when it was a legitimate tool for what formerly was known as the "world's most deliberative body."

Now, a U.S. Senator has to do little more than scratch his or her nose, to block action and thwart the will of the majority of the citizens of the nation in stopping even the consideration of any piece of legislation.

That was not what the founders intended.

For more detail on this matter, go here.

Senator Baldwin deserves praise and has our thanks for stepping forward and taking a leadership role in this important matter.

Thanks too, to all of the Common Cause in Wisconsin members and other citizens who care about good government and democracy and who contacted Senator Baldwin over the last five days in support of Merkley-Udall. She has demonstrated to Wisconsin that she listens and is responsive to our communications with her.

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Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

608/256-2686