Barabak: The U.S. Senate is a mess. He wants to fix it, from the inside

Los Angeles TimesThursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM
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  • Oregon Senator Jeff Merkeley is actively pursuing reforms to the Senate filibuster, aiming to reduce obstructionism and improve the legislative process. His efforts highlight a growing concern over the Senate's dysfunction and the need for effective governance.
  • This initiative is significant as it reflects Merkeley's commitment to addressing systemic issues within the Senate, which has faced criticism for its inability to pass crucial legislation. Reforming the filibuster could pave the way for more efficient decision-making and responsiveness to pressing national issues.
  • The challenges faced by Merkeley in his reform efforts mirror broader partisan divisions within the Senate, particularly evident in recent discussions on healthcare costs. These ongoing conflicts underscore the difficulty of achieving bipartisan solutions in a polarized political environment, raising questions about the Senate's capacity to enact meaningful change.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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