October 17, 2024
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Newman, Underwood join calls for Democrats to end Senate filibuster rule to allow for passage of major legislation

Representatives join nearly 100 other Democrats calling for change in Senate rules and clear path for Democrats to tackle country’s many challenges

By Alex Ortiz
marie newman lauren underwood

U.S. Reps. Marie Newman, D-La Grange, and Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, joined nearly 100 of their Democratic House colleagues in calling for an end the filibuster in the Senate and allow for passage of major legislation to tackle the country's many challenges. (Shaw Local News Network)

U.S. Reps. Marie Newman and Lauren Underwood joined several other House Democrats who called for the end to the Senate filibuster rule, which they argued stops key pieces of legislation from passing.

Newman, D-La Grange, and Underwood, D-Naperville, signed on to a letter from nearly 100 of their colleagues to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, urging his caucus to do away with the rule. A filibuster necessitates 60 votes for most legislation to pass the Senate, although Democrats have only 50 seats with Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential tie-breaker.

They argued in the letter that in “today’s hyperpartisan climate, there is simply no avenue for bold legislation that meets the needs of everyday Americans without ending the filibuster.”

Ending the filibuster would allow for legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority.

“It is our duty to deliver on our promises to pass bold legislation and do what is necessary to advance our fight for justice and economic prosperity,” the members of Congress wrote.

House Democrats have passed several major pieces of legislation this year, including raising the national minimum wage to $15 an hour, protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, criminal justice reform, gun control measures and more. But with the filibuster in place, those bills stand little to no chance of passing the Senate.

“This is an existential moment for our country,” they wrote. “We must end the gridlock that has become common practice in Washington and govern boldly and transformatively to improve the lives of millions of people, children and families all across the country.”

Republicans have argued ending the rule would be a radical step and discourage bipartisanship.

Four House Democrats led the letter, including Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove. Other Illinois members who signed it include Reps. Danny Davis, D-Chicago; Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Chicago; Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg; Mike Quigley, D-Chicago; Bobby Rush, D-Chicago; and Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston.

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