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For those of you who haven't heard, the Senate passed a rules reform package late last week. We want to thank all of you who on very short notice made calls to support reform. In the week leading up to the vote, Local 1036 was one of 14 NJ Locals to sent a letter to Senator Menendez urging him to support the CWA proposal. These letters along with 64 grassroots calls were received by Menendez's office. He ended up voting with us for our version of reform, and it is very possible that our efforts convinced him to vote the right way.
The reform includes an end to "secret holds," where an individual Senator can anonymously stop progress on a motion, the elimination of a delaying tactic of forcing a bill to be read on the floor if it has been posted online for 72 hours, and a "gentleman's agreement" between the Democrats and Republicans that filibusters will be used less in certain instances.
The agreement does not include filibuster reform. It has been called "disappointingly ambitious," and the Star-Ledger accused the Democrats of "wimping out." CWA backed a proposal that would have required those wanting to filibuster to a.) actually hold the Senate floor and debate and b.) actually produce 40 votes to keep debate open. Currently, no one is required to hold the floor during a filibuster, and the majority has the burden of producing 60 votes in order to stop the filibuster.
We are, as you know, moving forward in a very challenging environment in Washington. We'll need similar involvement and more to protect Social Security and stop some of the debilitating cuts the Republicans are planning to programs used by working families. Looks like we are going to have to brace for a tough year both Nationally and in NJ.
Thanks again for your work.
