For the second consecutive Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has considered exercising the "nuclear" or "constitutional" option to force a change in filibuster rules by simple majority vote instead of the two-thirds vote required to end debate on rules changes. And, for the second time, a bipartisan agreement was reached at the last minute to reduce the number of possible filibusters in return for more fairness in offering amendments. The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) hosted a panel of Congressional and academic experts to examine how this deal compares with the previous one, and consider whether reformers are satisfied with the results.

Opening Remarks

Panel Discussion

Question and Answer Session

Keynote remarks by

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)
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Panel discussion featuring

Richard Arenberg
Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Brown University
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Sarah Binder
Professor of Political Science, The George Washington University
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Alan Frumin
Former U.S. Senate Parliamentarian

Moderated by

John Fortier
Democracy Project Director, Bipartisan Policy Center

In partnership with the National Capital-Area Political Science Association

News

The Hill: Udall Vows to Monitor Filibuster Deal's Success

Democracy Project