Climate Politics
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The filibuster undermines democratic accountability
The filibuster stands today as the single most important impediment to the significant reforms needed in America's climate/energy policies, its immigration policies, its labor law policies, and its need for a functioning judiciary. But beyond that, the filibuster has become a critical force undermining the workings of democratic accountability.
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The filibuster is what enables the 'secret hold' in the Senate
Besides blocking legislation that enjoys majority support from coming to a vote, the filibuster lies at the heart of a number of disruptive and anti-democratic practices in the Senate, including the so-called "secret hold." The secret hold helped delay Senate action for so long that time ran out for a climate bill.
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There is no constitutional right to filibuster
Debates about Senate procedural reform very often have constitutional undertones. Some claim that senators with strong, minority-held viewpoints have a constitutional right to prolong debate, even indefinitely. A related, more nuanced, argument begins by pointing out that our Founders envisioned the Senate as a careful, deliberative body that would check the rashness of the House of Representatives. Accordingly, some argue, the Framers intended that Senators be able to debate without limit. I am going to address and -- I hope -- refute each of these claims.
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The filibuster is giving enviros unwarranted self-esteem issues
The dysfunctional state of the Senate has damaging consequences that extend into virtually every corner of American politics. There's just one in particular I want to focus on today, namely: it gives progressives a complex!
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Lessons from Senate climate fail
Here are some lessons learned from the perspective of someone who spent the last few years trying to push a real bill through the real Congress.
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Recently elected Dem senators want more 'fight’ for green economy
In a series of interviews with the Wonk Room at Netroots Nation, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) described the challenges of confronting climate pollution in the sclerotic legisla
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Smoking vs. obesity: Which health issue most deserves taxpayers' dollars?
Anti-smoking spending is down, while anti-obesity spending is up. Is this really a problem?
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Congress rolls out its spill bills
Finally we got a look at what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) considers climate and energy legislation. Don't cheer all at once.
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School lunch reform still alive — but in critical condition
The school lunch reform bill is finally moving in Congress -- but perhaps not fast enough to save it.
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Attack on clean air protections planned in Senate
NRDC has obtained a copy of amendments that Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) appears poised to lodge next week in the Senate Environment Committee to wage a sweeping attack on the Clean Air Act on behalf of dirty power plants.
