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When the rules don’t suit Trump, he wants them changed. This week it’s the filibuster; surely next week it will be something else. As the shutdown painfully stretches into its 31st day, legislation to reopen the government remains stalled over a Senate rule—the filibuster—that requires 60 votes. To reach that critical threshold, they would need to compromise with the Democrats, which they refuse to do.
Now Trump wants to abolish that rule. If Trump gets his way and the Senate caves in to him, it will be another power grab for the GOP at the expense of our country. The filibuster currently remains the only guardrail we have in the Senate. Currently, the GOP controls 53 seats in the Senate. Without the filibuster, just 51 votes would be enough to pass most bills. Republicans would be able to “govern” by excluding the Democrats from any meaningful governance role.
The filibuster is imperfect. It can slow urgent legislation and has historically blocked civil rights laws, frustrating Americans and diminishing trust in government. Yet it also protects the minority party, ensuring their voices are heard and that major laws have broad support. In these unstable times, removing it could enable the rapid passage of dangerous bills. Bi-partisanship should be a hallmark of our Congress and lead to a more robust democracy.
Over the course of the years, even Democrats have championed changing the filibuster. But it must be done for the sake of good government, not political gain. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN), for example, has favored reforming the filibuster and creating certain exemptions, such as for voting rights.
Congress can change rules, which it has done over the years. But the rules will always fall victim when Members of Congress' loyalty is to a dangerous, vindictive, and out-of-control president instead of our country. Tinkering with rules isn’t the answer. But changing who sits in Congress and the White House is.
Elections have consequences.
| | MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Susan Berk, Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI), Pam Lippitt, Roz Blanck, Lisa Lis, and Hollis Wein at our annual Detroit membership meeting. | | JAC's Board recently returned from a day of advocacy on the Hill. Despite the government shutdown, Congress was hard at work -- at least our side! It was a productive day of meetings discussing JAC's issues. | | Debby Karton, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Stacey Sherr Michelon, Hollis Wein, and Elle Kane | | Laura Gold, Jackie Cohen, Sen, Tammy Baldwin (WI), Allison Shaewitz, Susan Insoft, and Jacki Parmacek | | Laura Gold, Allison Shaewitz, Susan Berk, Sharon Wilkes, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY), Jackie Cohen, Jacki Parmacek, Janna Berk, Elle Kane, Gabriel Wein, and Hollis Wein | | Jackie Cohen, Jacki Parmacek, Sen. Ed Markey (MA), Laura Gold, and Susan Insoft | | |
L: Jacki Parmacek, Elle Kane, Susan Insoft, and Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY)
R: Jackie Cohen, Allison Shaewitz, Stacey Sherr Michelon, Debby Karton, and Laura Gold
| | Laura Gold, Janna Berk, Jacki Parmacek, Stacey Sherr Michelon, Sami Sage, Elle Kane, Allison Shaewitz, Susan Berk, Tamara Levenson, and Hollis Wein | | JAC held a Breakfast of Champions with some of our Frontline candidates: Reps. George Whitesides (CA), Derek Tran (CA), Laura Gillen (NY), Adam Grey (CA), and Josh Riley (NY). Click to donate. Each narrowly won their races in 2024. The midterm election will be as difficult. JAC is proud to support them in their re-election efforts. We need their voices in Congress. | | Andy Small, Jon Michelon, Rep. George Whitesides (CA), Stacey Sherr Michelon, and Amy Small | | Rep. Adam Gray (CA) and Leah Bailey | | Jacki Parmacek, Janna Berk, and Rep. Derek Tran (CA) | | Roberta Washlow, Rep. George Whitesides (CA), and Amy Zisook | | Paige Lurie, Carolyn Moretti, and Rep. Derek Tran (CA) | | Rep. George Whitesides (CA) and Melissa Grund Sarnoff | | Rep. Brad Schneider (IL), Amy Small, Reps. Laura Gillen (NY), Derek Tran (CA), George Whitesides (CA), Josh Riley (NY), and Adam Gray (CA) | | Stacey Sherr Michelon, Rep. Derek Tran (CA), Andy Small, Amy Small, Roberta Washlow, Wendy Heltzer, and Rep. George Whitesides (CA) | | |
"Paying more to stock up on candy, or get your new costume for Halloween? You have one man's spooky economic agenda to blame. I'll give you a hint, he's also orange."
Sen. Adam Schiff (CA )
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Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a pro-Israel PAC with a domestic agenda. We support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for reproductive health and the separation of religion and state and incorporate other issues of importance to the Jewish community, including gun violence prevention and climate change. In addition to providing financial support for U.S. Senate and House campaigns, JACPAC educates our membership with outreach events designed to inform and activate their participation in the political process.
| | Paid for by Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions or gifts are not tax deductible. Contributions may total up to $5000 per individual. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle. Corporate contributions and contributions from non-US citizens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence are prohibited. All contributions by individuals must be made from personal funds and may not be reimbursed or paid by another person. | | | | |
