After passing the Health Care bill after intense month-long debates, one legislative tool of the Senate has come under criticism: The Filibuster, as it is used currently, slows down the legislative process to the point where even less dividing issues do not get passed in the Senate. This paper outlines both the Senate's attempts to overcome this blokade by reconciliation and the reform options that have surfaced in the Filibuster debate. One reform option would be to include a gradual reduction of votes necessary to stop a filibuster down to a simple majority. A restricted use of the filibuster for administrative votes and nominations is the second option outlined in this paper. The third alternative asks for an increase of the Cloture Quote, basically forcing Senate to work in a bipartisan way. The paper concludes that only a Constitutional Option is likely start the reform process of the filibuster.  

This publication is available in German only.

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