Will We Be Getting Rid of The Filibuster? Saanvi Kunisetty

 Will We Be Getting Rid of The Filibuster?

Saanvi Kunisetty

A filibuster occurs in the Senate when a supermajority is required to pass something instead of the usual majority. If we look back at certain instances in history, we actually start to see a repeating pattern of the filibuster generally benefitting one side of the political spectrum; the right side. 

Ideologists favoring the right side of the spectrum have conservative beliefs, which tend to be "old-fashioned" and intent on keeping things as they have been for a long time. In contrast to this, liberal ideologists are always looking to make more change as the times change. We can further describe this by saying that conservative ideologists are- well- conservative, because they want to conserve, or keep, things as they have been. Liberal ideologists are more progressive, as they are eager to make change and seek progress in society.

So how does this apply to the filibuster? As mentioned before, we have repeatedly seen acts being prohibited from being passed due to the filibuster favoring the conservatives, such as when slavery was being protected and Blacks were being denied the rights to vote. In more recent times, the filibuster has helped Republicans (who's core values encompass conservative ideologies) prevent Democrats from passing acts about climate change, gender pay equality, gun control, and more. 

Now that Biden is officially President, and the Senate is (very narrowly) in the control of the Democrats, the discussion has arisen as to whether or not the filibuster should be kept, or completely eliminated. As of now, they will be keeping it, but no formal conclusion has been officially made. The filibuster, though largely benefitting the Republicans, has been known to have benefitted the Democrats in several occasions too. A more formal decision may be made when the next bill is being considered in the Senate.

Info taken from: article NYT