Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., recently unveiled a package of rule changes designed to speed up the Senate’s legislative process and facilitate its consideration of bipartisan bills and amendments. Their proposal - “To Save the Senate” - recommends reforms to the Senate’s standing rules in four areas:
- Cloture
- Suspension of the Rules
- Authorizing Legislation
- Appropriations Legislation
Taken together, the proposed changes are intended to “increase the Senate’s capacity to process legislation, increase amendments considered on the floor, and strengthen the power of committees.” Daines-Merkley does so by empowering committee chairs and ranking members (along with a handful of their colleagues) to bring committee-reported legislation to the Senate floor under procedures that limit debate and amendments.
