Senate Conservatives


We recently contacted you about the filibuster debate in the U.S. Senate. Democrats want to change the rules because they don't want to debate their bills in public or vote on amendments that improve them. You can read "Senators Love to Hide" here.

Unfortunately, the Republican leadership is about to let the Democrats hide even more laws.

We just learned that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has reached an agreement with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on a plan that will dramatically reduce the ability to debate and amend legislation in the Senate. This plan will do two things:
Shorten the time bills are actually debated to just 2 days
Eliminate all but 2 Republican amendments
Politicians in Washington have been too quick to pass new laws and two slow to read them and consider their consequences. America needs more debate in the Senate, not less.

T
he Reid-McConnell filibuster plan will eliminate the ability of senators to effectively debate legislation. It will make it much easier for liberals to rush through new laws that violate the Constitution and spend money we don't have.

It's also a power grab that will take away the rights of Americans to be represented by their senators and give it to the two party leaders who will decide which bills are fast-tracked and which amendments are considered.

The Reid-McConnell filibuster plan is a direct attack on the liberties of all Americans and it must be defeated.

TAKE ACTION: Contact your senators and urge them to oppose the Reid-McConnell filibuster plan that weakens debate in the Senate.

The plan could be voted on as early as tonight so this is time sensitive. We've already notified conservative senators of our opposition to the plan and urged them to object to any agreement to expedite its consideration.

If Harry Reid is going to destroy the right to debate in the Senate, Republicans must not consent to it. Senate conservatives should have a chance to fight it with a full and open debate and by proposing their own reforms.

Specifically, Senate conservatives should offer amendments to:
Require 72-hours notice before considering a bill;
Allow each senator to offer at least one amendment; and
Require 67 votes to end debate if the bill adds to the deficit.
Protecting the right to debate in the Senate is extremely important to the Senate Conservatives Fund. We will oppose any effort to weaken this right and weigh this issue heavily in deciding future endorsements.

Please contact your senators and urge them to oppose the Reid-McConnell filibuster plan.

Thank you for supporting the principles of freedom that make this country great. We'll keep fighting.

Best regards,

Matt Hoskins
Executive Director
Senate Conservatives Fund

U.S. Senators