We told you last month that the most important thing we can do this year to fix what’s wrong with the planet is to fix what’s wrong with the U.S. Senate. There are just too many arcane rules that can be used to gum up the works and create gridlock.

Minutes ago, Democrat Tom Udall‘s office released details of the reform package that’s being introduced this week. Here’ s the executive summary (via Greg Sargent):

Clear Path to Debate: Eliminate the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed Makes motions to proceed not subject to a filibuster, but provides for two hours of debate. This proposal has had bipartisan support for decades and is often mentioned as a way to end the abuse of holds. Needed Because: When most people think of filibusters, they don’t even realize there’s actually a double-whammy. The filibuster used to be used only to prevent a vote by refusing to cut off debate. But it can also be used to block debate from even starting in the first place. This would eliminate that abuse.

Eliminates Secret Holds Prohibits one Senator from objecting on behalf of another, unless he or she discloses the name of the senator with the objection. This is a simple solution to address a longstanding problem.

Needed because: How do you negotiate when you don’t even know who your opponent is? This tactic has been seriously abused in the last Congressional session.

Right to Amend: Guarantees Consideration of Amendments for both Majority and Minority Protects the rights of the minority to offer amendments following cloture filing, provided the amendments are germane and have been filed in a timely manner. This provision addresses comments of Republicans at last year’s Rules Committee hearings. Each time Democrats raised concerns about filibusters on motions to proceed, Republicans responded that it was their only recourse because the Majority Leader fills the amendment tree and prevents them from offering amendments. Our resolution provides a simple solution — it guarantees the minority the right to offer germane amendments.

Needed because: This protects minority rights while allowing the majority the chance for an up-or-down vote.

Talking Filibuster: Ensures Real Debate Following a failed cloture vote, Senators opposed to proceeding to final passage will be required to continue debate as long as the subject of the cloture vote or an amendment, motion, point of order, or other related matter is the pending business.

Needed because: This is the most important element of the package. As originally practiced, a filibuster was an actual debate, and if the opposition wanted to prevent the majority from voting, they actually had to keep talking. It required a commitment, and so was only used on really important matters. But these days the mere threat of a filibuster is enough to shut down a vote – there’s no pain, and no commitment, which is why it’s been used more times in the past four years than it was in the 60 years from 1920 to 1980. Forcing a real filibuster means it’ll go back to being what it was meant to be: a last ditch protector of minority rights, not a constant logjam to block all action in the Senate.

Expedite Nominations: Reduce Post-Cloture Time Provides for two hours of post-cloture debate time for nominees. Post cloture time is meant for debating and voting on amendments — something that is not possible on nominations. Instead, the minority now requires the Senate use this time simply to prevent it from moving on to other business.

Needed because: The current rule requires 30 hours of post-cloture debate time. When it’s abused – as it has been the past two years by Republicans – this ties the Senate up in knots, preventing it from getting anything else done. As a direct result, there are currently hundreds of vacancies in government – judges, diplomats, and officials in all departments from Defense to the EPA. There has been talk that this provision might get dropped as part of a “bipartisanship” compromise – but that would be a very bad idea.

This looks like a good start at Senate reform. We’ll see how things play out over the next couple of weeks – final vote is expected by January 24th.

What can you do?

Call your Senators and tell them you support the package – the Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121; tell them your state and they’ll connect you. You can also find direct email and phone contact info here.

Call the office of Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at 202-224-6352, the Democrats lead negotiator with the Republicans on the reform package. Tell him you support the full package, including the elimination of post-cloture debate time on nominations.

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