Looking at this gun control debate, it has reinforced to me how the defining mistake of Biden‘s approach to “making government work again” is his attachment to the filibuster. Yes, the filibuster has artificially turned our democracy into a near two-thirds super majority system. But it also has virtually eliminated the Vice President’s one constitutional role - to cast a tie breaking Senate vote.
Then I thought of another thing. It has virtually eliminated the presidential veto too. When was the last time you saw a veto or threatened veto? It doesn’t happen because almost no bills can pass, and if one does, it is almost certain to already have a veto proof majority.
So the federal government is presently conducted in almost no manner as intended. I also wish opponents would talk about getting rid of the “permanent filibuster.” There is no “tradition” for supporters to cling to in defense. We already have changed the filibuster, and it is this new permanent or standing filibuster to every single piece of legislation that doesn’t work.
And that is what particularly galls me. Once again Republicans are allowed to change the rules of the game. This permanent filibuster change has been seismic. It is like if the Republicans just now introduced the notion that each state gets 2 Senators regardless of population … and everyone acted like this was always the case, a tradition even.
Yes, there are risks that Democrats might not be able to stop some Republican legislation when they have control. But that is called democracy, and Democrats should be running hard and openly as the party to restore democracy for everybody.