The organization Common Cause filed suit today against the United 
States Senate claiming current filibuster rules are unconstitutional.  
In a statement released today - Common Cause President Bob Edgar said 
the abuse of the filibuster by minorities on both sides of the aisle - 
especially Republicans - is, "an affront to our democracy and not the 
way the Senate was supposed to work."
Citing a previous Supreme Court decision ruling that the Senate's 
rules cannot conflict with the Constitution - Common Cause's lawsuit 
alleges that the Constitution ONLY calls for a super-majority 
requirement in special cases like overriding a Presidential veto or 
ratifying a treaty - and does not require a super-majority to begin 
debate, approve judges, or pass routine legislation - as it's used 
today.  Several Members of Congress are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
For the last few years - led by Mitch McConnell - who boasted that 
his number one goal is NOT to create jobs for Americans but instead to 
put President Obama out of a job - a Republican minority has shut down 
an entire branch of government by abusing the filibuster.  This is not 
what democracy what looks like.
-Thom
(Who do you think will win? Tell us here.)


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