* Far short of what many reformers sought
* Obama welcomes revisions
* Sixty votes still needed to end filibuster
(Adds Obama statement)
By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – The Democratic-led U.S.
Senate changed its rules on Thursday in a bid to ease partisan
gridlock blamed for turning the chamber into a legislative
graveyard.
Senators approved the changes on bipartisan votes of 78-16
and 86-9. The changes fell far short, however, of what many
Democratic reformers wanted. They preserved the right of
minority Republicans to block votes on legislation with
procedural roadblocks known as filibusters.
But the revisions drew praise from President Barack Obama,
who said in a statement, “Too often over the past four years, a
single senator or a handful of senators has been able to
unilaterally block or delay bipartisan legislation for the sole
purpose of making a political point.
“At a time when we face critical decisions on a whole range
of issues – from preventing further gun violence, to reforming
our broken immigration system, to getting our fiscal house in
order and creating good paying jobs – we cannot afford
unnecessary obstruction,” he said.
Sixty votes will still be needed in the 100-member chamber
to end a filibuster – despite calls by some Democrats to reduce
the figure to as few as 51.
In exchange, Republicans will no longer be able to stop
senators from beginning consideration of a bill – provided both
sides are given votes on at least two amendments.
Rule changes would also expedite consideration of low-level
presidential nominations, reduce debate time before some votes
and require filibustering senators to make objections known.
“Perhaps I’m too optimistic, but hopefully because of this
we will be able to pass legislation,” said Republican Senator
John McCain.
That in turn, McCain said, might help raise the chamber’s
record low approval ratings in recent years, which now stand at
about 15 percent.
Assistant Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin voiced
confidence the rule changes would make for a more productive
chamber provided there was “good will” on both sides.
“There are always ways to find some exception, a little
loophole here, a little loophole there,” Durbin said.
“I hope there will be a more positive reaction to these
rules changes and get the Senate back into the business of what
it’s supposed to be, the most deliberative body in the body
politic of America,” Durbin said.
WEEKS OF NEGOTIATION
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, and Senate
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, drafted the rule
changes after weeks of negotiations.
If there had been no compromise and Democrats tried to force
changes without the approval of Republicans, there likely would
have been partisan fights that turned the chamber into knots.
Since 2007, Reid has filed nearly 400 cloture motions to
stop Republican-backed filibusters. He stopped less than half of
them with the needed 60 votes.
In the other cases, Republicans blocked legislation, even
though most senators backed it. Critics complained they were
effectively violating a basic tenet of democracy – majority
rule.
Filibuster proponents say procedural roadblocks are needed
to protect the rights of the minority and force the majority to
compromise.
A number of Senate Democrats defend the right to filibuster,
reasoning they will be in the minority at some point and will
want to use it.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley applauded the rule change,
but preferred tougher curbs on filibusters that are ostensibly
waged to give senators more time to debate.
“If 41 senators vote for more debate, then senators should
have the courage of their convictions to stand on the floor and
make their case,” Merkley said. “Then the American people could
decide if obstructing senators are heroes or bums.”
(Additional reporting by Richard Cowan and Roberta Rampton;
Editing by Fred Barbash and Peter Cooney)
