Senate Democrats are so determined to curtail Republican use of the filibuster to block their legislation that they've frozen time — technically speaking — in the hope of hammering out a deal that will prevent what they call an abuse of parliamentary procedure.
On the opening day of the 112th Congress on Wednesday, Senate Democratic leaders used a rare procedural rule that will keep the legislative day open for several days — a move that would allow for rule changes with the approval of a simple majority of the 100-member chamber instead of the usual two-thirds vote.
The tactic only can be used on the first day of a new Congress — hence the value of not declaring the legislative "day" over, regardless of what calendars or the Earth's rotation might say. And with the Senate to be on recess until Jan. 25, the move would buy filibuster-reform supporters time to work out details and woo supporters.
Democrats, who control the Senate with 53 seats, have complained that Republicans unfairly use the filibuster to kill Democratic bills and paralyze the chamber.
Republicans counter that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, typically refuses to allow Republican amendments on bills and that the filibuster is among the only tools available to block Democratic legislation they oppose.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/5/democrats-in-senate-stall-over-filibuster/
