
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Democracies around the world only require a simple majority (above 50%) to pass legislation. The filibuster, which requires approval by 60% of the Senate, makes that chamber the most anti-democratic in the world. If Senators supporting a filibuster are from low population states, they could represent as few as twenty percent of Americans. So, in our democracy, the vast majority of Americans can deeply desire a piece of legislation, but the remaining portion of the population can kill it. The only way to stop this injustice is to eliminate the modern filibuster.
By Sadena Thevarajah and Ken ThomasDemocracies around the world only require a simple majority (above 50%) to pass legislation. The filibuster, which requires approval by 60% of the Senate, makes that chamber the most anti-democratic in the world. If Senators supporting a filibuster are from low population states, they could represent as few as twenty percent of Americans. So, in our democracy, the vast majority of Americans can deeply desire a piece of legislation, but the remaining portion of the population can kill it. The only way to stop this injustice is to eliminate the modern filibuster.