CWA: Adopt Comprehensive Reform of Senate Rules; The American People Deserve Nothing Less

Contact: Candice Johnson or Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and cporcari@cwa-union.org

Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America in support of real reform of the Senate rules: 

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America strongly supports comprehensive Senate and filibuster rules reform that will make the Senate more transparent and accountable and allow for deliberation and debate.  We support the common sense reforms of Senate Resolution 10 proposed by Senators Harkin, Merkley and Udall and supported by at least 23 of their Senate colleagues.

What we saw in the 111th Senate was a shocking manipulation and abuse of rules.  Reforms that would help working men and women were never allowed to come up for debate on the Senate floor. The Employee Free Choice Act, the Fair Pay Act, the Dream Act, and comprehensive climate legislation, among other measures, would have made real improvements in the lives of American families, but were never even discussed by the Senate.  There were more than 400 bills that passed the House of Representatives that never had a hearing on the Senate floor.

That’s why common sense reforms are necessary.  The Senate rules should be changed to eliminate filibusters on the motion to proceed, so that there can be real, bi-partisan debate.  Those who want to filibuster should make a public stand and be accountable for their positions.  And post cloture debate should be limited on nominations, so that our government can function and carry out the responsibilities that public officials are elected to fulfill.

These reforms are necessary if the Senate is going to do the work the American people expect. The American people deserve nothing less.