The Seat

After nearly 50 years of Kennedy monopolization of the Massachusetts Senate seat, the reign has come to an end. A close battle between Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Martha Coakley has ensued, spurring the creation of KennedySeat.com.

Mr. Coit brought up an interesting point today in class. If Brown wins, the Republicans will have 41 and the Democrats will have 59. This means that the Democrats would no longer have the amount of people needed to stop a filibuster. Thus, if they find it necessary, the Republicans could filibuster the health care bill, which is a definite possibility. However, Mr. Coit went on to say that they could stop the health care bill. With this statement, I disagree.

A filibuster is the "informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions." The longest filibuster in history was 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, courtesy of Strom Thurmond.

It was passed through Congress and signed by President Eisenhower in September of the same year.

Filibusters obviously don't work too well. Sure, it might annoy some congressmen, but health care reform of this caliber has been debated since President Clinton. The Democrats have passed it through both houses already. They're all on board, and as of now, public support is still with Obama.

I don't think, even if Brown does pull out a win today, that a Republican filibuster is going to stop the momentum of this health care bill. At least, not by itself.