Senate Republicans Vote Against Change in Filibuster Rules

Senate Democrats suffered a major blow last night as Republicans voted against passing a change in filibuster rules. The vote was 52 to 48 with two moderates joining all GOP Senators. After the vote failed, there was a round of applause from Republicans. The change would have allowed for a ‘talking filibuster’ and would have forced lawmakers who want to filibuster a bill to come to the Senate floor and speak in opposition. Once speeches were completed the Senate would be able to hold a simple majority vote for final passage which would eliminate the 60-vote threshold.