Levin Gladly Takes the Blame for Blocking Filibuster Reform
from TPM:
Carl Levin: No Regrets About Stopping Filibuster Reform
We did the right thing, Levin said shortly after the resolution of a 13-hour talking filibuster mounted by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), which supporters of reforming the filibuster want to require for all filibusters . . .
Its eased gridlock somewhat in terms of post-cloture. Weve reduced the amount of post-cloture time. Thats a significant improvement, Levin said, responding to his Democratic colleagues frustrations. The changes are valuable in a number of ways.
. . . Its up to us to force people to filibuster, Levin said. We have the power under the current rules. The problem is that we have not forced the people who threaten to filibuster to filibuster.
We need to do that under the current rules. It will succeed.
. . . We must show the same will, the same willpower, the same determination to defeat the filibuster, he told TPM, as Republicans show in using it.
read: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/03/carl-levin-no-regrets-for-stopping-filibuster-reform.php