# A modest proposal on judicial filibusters **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-on-judicial-filibusters/311349 **Category:** Great Debates **Created:** [July 6, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-on-judicial-filibusters/311349 "2005-07-06T22:01:42Z") **Posts on this page:** 1 **Showing post:** 1
### Author: ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte) #### Post date: [July 6, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-on-judicial-filibusters/311349/1 "2005-07-06T22:01:42Z")
Heck, all filibusters, for that matter. Given the immense number of judicial filibuster threads, I did not take the time to read them all to determine whether or not my modest proposal has previously been debated. If it has, my apologies, and go on about your daily activities. If it hasn’t… A substantial part of the problem with filibusters is that they have become too easy. It is no longer necessary for the filibustering Senators to actually stand and speak - no need to stay awake all night, pee into cups, etc. Effectively, to filibuster these days, all a Senator needs to do is declare a filibuster and have 40 other Senators support him/her. In olden days, when Senators had to actually, actively filibuster on the floor of the Senate, the things were rare. With the end of the need to conduct a real filibuster, the result has been that 60 votes, not 51, are needed to pass most Senate resolutions. So, my modest proposal is simple: require filibustering Senators to go out there and shut the Senate down by actually filibustering. Make them experience the discomfort and fatigue. Additionally, increase pressure on supporting Senators to change positions and vote for cloture by allowing no other Senate votes to take place while a filibuster is ongoing. If a filibuster returns to being an extreme, disruptive event, it will only be used in the most “extraordinary circumstances.” Sua --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-on-judicial-filibusters/311349)._