Stephen Spaulding, Senior Counsel for Public Policy and Government Affairs at Common Cause, speaks about the transformation of the filibuster throughout the years. There is increasing attention being paid to the filibuster, the Senate rule requiring a threshold of 60 votes for legislation to pass instead of a simple majority.
The filibuster has a history of impeding civil rights legislation and was recently used to block the introduction of the For the People Act. Critics say the rule has a racist history and concentrates power in the hands of the few.
Today’s guest is Stephen Spaulding, Senior Counsel for Public Policy and Government Affairs at Common Cause, one of the voting rights groups calling on the Senate to reform its rules. Common Cause says the filibuster is undemocratic because it means a minority can stop any legislation in its tracks.
