Hold senators accountable
for blocking legislation.
Some senators like to filibuster and keep the majority from having their way. You might think they’re heroes. Or jackasses. Either way, they’re worth keeping track of.
What does this mean?
Right now, in the U.S. Senate, there are 59 Democrats eager to push through sweeping policy changes. There are also 41 Republicans who feel those changes are a bad idea, and will do anything in their power to prevent them from becoming law.
It takes 41 Senators to prevent action on a measure. The next two years will be an ongoing battle between filibuster (an attempt to debate indefinitely) and cloture (a vote to impose a time limit on a debate).
Recently filibustered
- Roll Call #224: 38 Republicans tried to stall the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act on Aug 4, 2010 and failed.
- Roll Call #221: 41 Republicans and 1 Democrat tried to stall an Amendment to the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 on Jul 29, 2010 and succeeded.
- Roll Call #220: 40 Republicans and 1 Democrat tried to stall the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act on Jul 27, 2010 and succeeded.
Notable obstructionists
A few of the antagonists who vote to prolong filibusters most often.
