In a compelling speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed what he described as a significant shift in the Democratic stance on the legislative filibuster. Thune highlighted the apparent hypocrisy of Senate Democrats, who, after vehemently criticizing the filibuster and suggesting its elimination, recently employed it to block legislation. This “filibuster flip-flop,” as Thune termed it, raises questions about fairness and the Democrats’ commitment to consistent rules in the Senate.
Thune began by reminding listeners of the Democrats’ position leading up to the recent election. He stated that numerous Democrat senators and candidates openly pledged to dismantle the filibuster or weaken it to the point of irrelevance. He specifically pointed to the Democrat leader’s pronouncements at the Democrat National Convention, where plans to alter Senate rules to facilitate the passage of a federal election takeover were allegedly discussed. The message was clear, according to Thune: the days of the filibuster seemed numbered under a Democrat-controlled Senate.
However, Thune pointed out a stark contrast in recent Senate proceedings. According to Thune, every single Senate Democrat, including those who had previously advocated for filibuster reform, united to filibuster a recent bill. He emphasized the unanimous Democrat participation in this action, underscoring the unexpected nature of this reversal. While Thune acknowledged the controversial nature of the filibustered bill – legislation concerning the protection of newborn children born alive after attempted abortions – his primary focus was on what he perceived as the Democrats’ inconsistent application of Senate rules.
Expanding on this point, Thune drew a parallel to 2017, during President Trump’s first term when Republicans held the Senate majority. He noted that 32 Senate Democrats, many still serving in the Senate, had signed a letter urging Senate leadership to preserve the legislative filibuster at that time. This historical context, according to Thune, further highlights the Democrats’ apparent change of heart when their own political objectives are concerned. He argued that once Democrats gained power and sought to advance partisan legislation, such as their federal election proposals, the filibuster suddenly became an “inconvenience” to be discarded. Now, with Republicans back in the majority, Thune observed a renewed Democratic appreciation for the very tool they once sought to eliminate.
Thune summarized his interpretation of these events by stating that Democrats seem to believe in a double standard: rules should apply when they serve Democrat aims but be discarded when they obstruct the Democrat agenda. He characterized this as an undemocratic attitude and indicative of an elitist perspective that disregards the views of a significant portion of the electorate. Thune suggested that this perceived disdain for half the country might have contributed to the Democrats’ electoral setbacks.
Acknowledging the inherent frustrations that the filibuster can sometimes cause, citing the recent inability to pass legislation regarding newborn infants as a personal example, Thune nevertheless defended the filibuster’s critical role in the U.S. system of government. He emphasized the Founding Fathers’ intention for the Senate to act as a counterbalance to the House, providing stability, thoughtful deliberation, and a check against hasty or tyrannical majority rule. Thune asserted that the legislative filibuster has become a key mechanism for realizing this original vision of the Senate. He argued that it serves as a crucial check on ill-considered legislation, compelling discussion, negotiation, and compromise. Most importantly, Thune stated, the filibuster ensures that the voices of Americans whose party is not currently in power are still heard and considered in Congress.
In conclusion, Senator Thune expressed his expectation that Democrats would continue to find value in the filibuster during the current Republican-led Congress. While disagreeing with the Democrats’ decision to use it in the specific instance he cited, he affirmed his commitment to defending their right to utilize this Senate rule. Thune emphasized that preserving the Senate’s intended function as a deliberative body with checks and balances is more important than short-term political advantages. He voiced his hope that the Democrats’ experience in the minority would remind them of the filibuster’s vital role and that they would maintain their newfound appreciation for it even when they eventually return to the majority.
