The Senate voted 51-48 to begin debate on the SAVE America Act. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined all Democrats in voting against proceeding to the election overhaul bill. Before the vote, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, declared, “Senate Democrats will never let this rotten bill move through this body.”
But Democrats can’t stop the Senate from passing the SAVE America Act indefinitely if Republicans force them to mount a talking filibuster instead of trying to end debate on the bill by invoking cloture. Requiring Democrats to hold the floor can lead to a final vote on the bill because it forces them to bear the burden of obstructing it. Republicans can speed up the process by strictly enforcing the Senate rules on filibustering senators.
A talking filibuster imposes some costs on Republicans, but those costs are minimal compared to what Democrats must bear to sustain it. Furthermore, the way the House set up the debate makes it even easier for Republicans to overcome Democratic opposition and reach a final vote.
