Filibuster
Groundhog Day
10.28.21 | 6:25 pm

A new episode of The Josh Marshall Podcast is live! This week, Josh and Kate discuss yet another week where Democrats are close to a reconciliation deal — if they can just circumvent Joe Manchin’s obstinance on a few key proposals.

You can listen to the new episode of The Josh Marshall Podcast here.

Where Things Stand: The OTHER Reason The Filibuster Is So Devastating Prime Badge
This is your TPM evening briefing.
10.27.21 | 6:26 pm

(A lot going on in that photo beyond what the caption says, on so many levels. It is from June 21, 1947, after Senate Democrats spent the previous night filibustering the eventual GOP override of President Truman’s veto of Taft-Hartley.)

Set aside for a moment the big issues like democracy reform that we know are stymied by the filibuster — it’s a given that its anti-majoritarianism holds up major generational reforms. Its impact goes far beyond that. The ways in which the filibuster infects not just legislating but the basic task of governance is so pervasive that it’s become part of the background noise of Washington. We don’t notice it anymore, but it’s hugely significant.

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James Clyburn speaking to reporters James Clyburn speaking to reporters
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks during a U.S. Senate Rules Committee Georgia Field Hearing on the right to vote at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on July 19, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks during a U.S. Senate Rules Committee Georgia Field Hearing on the right to vote at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on July 19, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)