Jamelle Bouie Urges Democrats to Reform Senate Filibuster

Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie argues that Senate Democrats must abolish or reform the filibuster to govern effectively during the presidency of Donald Trump. Bouie contends that the 60-vote threshold for cloture renders the legislature unproductive and shifts power toward the presidency and the courts by killing most proposed legislation.

To demonstrate productivity to voters, Bouie suggests that Democrats pass small, targeted bills instead of large omnibus packages. As an alternative to full abolition, he proposes reforming Senate rules to require 41 members to continue a debate rather than 60 to end it.

These recommendations follow elections that gave Democrats a significant congressional majority. Bouie predicts that President Donald Trump and White House chief of staff Stephen Miller will remain defiant and unwilling to collaborate on legislation, making legislative reform necessary for the majority to exercise its authority.