To the editor: To a major extent, the Senate filibuster is already in jeopardy (“The U.S. Senate is a multitude. He needs to repair it, from the within,” Dec. 11). Republicans have proven a willingness to make use of the reconciliation course of, which requires solely 51 votes, to cross laws not meant for the reconciliation course of, which has strict limitations. Solely the intervention of the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, stood as a roadblock to their try and subvert the method, and there have been instant calls to exchange her.
Republicans underneath President Trump have constantly demonstrated their willingness to permit officers who oppose them to be fired, changed by these extra pliant to their agenda. So it could not be stunning if a brand new parliamentarian would seem, one who could be amenable to a extra beneficiant evaluation of what could possibly be included in reconciliation and thus keep away from the filibuster.
Darrel Miller, Santa Monica