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The 2005 Senate filibuster debate prompted outcries of government inefficiency. Will Common Cause's movement towards ending filibusters break up the gridlock in the Senate?

Appointments of all kinds, from judges to agency heads, held up due to partisan bickering in the Senate; legislation from both sides of the aisle with potentially significant impact dies in committees without ever getting consideration from the full Congress; special interests loading down bills with self-serving amendments. Welcome to the modern U.S. Congress, gridlocked on the most important issues and bitterly partisan in every step. Enter Common Cause, the political advocacy group that has worked hard to limit the influence of money in politics and to encourage responsible leadership in Congress, that is launching a new program to break perpetual gridlock in Washington. The centerpiece of their proposal is the elimination of a sacred part of the legislative process—killing the filibuster and all its potential misuse in the Senate. While their goals may be worthy, are they realistic?

Guest:

Bob Edgar, president & CEO of Common Cause; former Congressman representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania