Udall’s Senate Rules Effort Gains Co-Sponsors

Sen. Tom Udall’s effort to change the Senate rules and curtail the use of filibusters is picking up some steam, but it still seems to have a way to go to reach the needed 51 votes.

The New Mexico lawmaker announced this evening that his resolution has 26 co-sponsors – all Democrats. That’s just more than halfway, but it’s still a long way from 51. Of course, Udall doesn’t need 51 co-sponsors just 51 votes. There are 53 Democrats in newly sworn-in Senate. Sen. Jeff Bingaman supports the Udall measure but is not a co-sponsor.

Here’s a list of current co-sponsors:

Udall, Tom Harkin (IA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Dick Durbin (IL), Amy Klobuchar
(MN), Sherrod Brown (OH), Mark Begich (AK), Richard Blumenthal (CT),
Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Michael Bennet (CO),
Barbara Boxer (CA), Benjamin L. Cardin (MD), Bob Casey (PA), Christopher
Coons (DE), Al Franken (MN), Kay Hagan (NC), Frank Lautenberg (NJ), Joe
Manchin (WV), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Jay Rockefeller (WV), Debbie
Stabenow (MI), Jon Tester (MT), Mark Udall (CO), Mark Warner (VA), and
Sheldon Whitehouse (RI).

Here’s what the Udall resolution would do, according to his press office:

 Eliminate the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed:
Makes motions to proceed not subject to a filibuster, but provides for
two hours of debate. This proposal has had bipartisan support for
decades and is often mentioned as a way to end the abuse of holds.

 Eliminate Secret Holds:
Prohibits one senator from objecting on behalf of another, unless he or
she discloses the name of the senator with the objection. This is a
simple solution to address a longstanding problem.

 Guarantee Consideration of Amendments for both Majority and Minority:
Protects the rights of the minority to offer amendments following
cloture filing, provided the amendments are germane and have been filed
in a timely manner.

 Talking Filibuster:
Ensures real debate following a failed cloture vote. Senators opposed
to proceeding to final passage will be required to continue debate as
long as the subject of the cloture vote or an amendment, motion, point
of order, or other related matter is the pending business.

Expedite Nominations:
Provide for two hours of post-cloture debate time for nominees. Post
cloture time is meant for debating and voting on amendments – something
that is not possible on nominations. Instead, the minority now requires
the Senate use this time simply to prevent it from moving on to other
business.