Letter to the editor: Filibusters and shutdowns

In 2013, the then-­majority Democrats in the Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Harry Reid, changed U.S. Senate rules regarding the filibuster to eliminate it, but only for approving presidential appointees. This was done in deference to then-President Obama, because Republicans refused to approve his appointments. That change allowed Obama’s appointees to be approved on a mere majority vote, rather than the “super-majority” of 60 votes required under the filibuster rule.

The current government shutdown being forced upon the country by the Democrats’ filibuster against the Senate Republicans’ passing of the “clean continuing resolution” should be stopped by the majority Republicans by rescinding the filibuster rule where it interferes with keeping the government operating.

If the Democrats could do it to get their desired presidential appointees approved on a simple majority vote as they did in 2013, the Republicans can do the same to keep the government open. And despite enough Democratic senators finally agreeing to vote to break the filibuster on the basis of the Republicans agreeing to negotiate the extension of Obamacare subsidies, I still believe the majority of the Republicans should rescind the filibuster rule where it affects shutting down the government. Neither party should be allowed to shut down the government rather than negotiate issues as intended by our founders.

Bob Jacobs

Unity