A simple proposal to repair the Senate.

[Deep13]

Except as otherwise specified in this Constitution, any matter pending before the United States Senate, substantive or procedural, shall pass upon a simple majority vote of the Senators present or voting by proxy. Nothing in this Amendment shall be construed to prevent the Senate from establishing rules concerning quorum requirements.

This Amendment shall be effective upon the approval of special constitutional conventions conducted by general election in three-fourths of the States within ten years of the date of proposal by Congress.

[mdmc]

1. the nuclear option?

[Deep13]

2. I prefer to think of it as a wind-turbine option, but sure, why not. nt

[pnwmom]

3. I'm beginning to think there might be some value to the 60 vote requirement.

If we DO manage to pass something substantive on health care reform, the other side won't be able to quickly repeal it the next time they have a simple majority.

During the Bush years when the Rethugs had majorities in the House and Senate, they might have used them to privatize Social Security and Medicare -- but they couldn't, because they didn't have the 60 votes.

[Winterblues]

4. Right and two thirds of the Senate will approve that...

To get a Constitutional Amendment 67 Senators have to approve not just sixty..

[Deep13]

6. Yeah, I'm not saying it will ever happen.

:(

[GoCubsGo]

5. An even simpler one

Public financing of elections. That way, they're beholden to their constituents, and not their financial backers.

[Deep13]

7. Yup, that's about as likely as my idea too. nt