Sen. Mike Lee Advocates for Traditional Filibuster Usage
On “Jesse Watters Prime Time” on Monday, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) expressed his stance that the filibuster rules should be utilized as they were originally designed. His remarks were centered on the SAVE Act, which faces substantial opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
Guest host Kayleigh McEnany noted that Lee had recently presented to his colleagues, highlighting the necessity of navigating the filibuster to advance the legislation. She recalled a comment from his colleague, Rick Scott, who expressed a desire for a “standing filibuster,” which would compel Democrats to explain their stance on an issue where public opinion is largely in favor of the Republicans. Lee responded, stating that the entire Senate Republican conference had attended his presentation and received it well. He mentioned that no one raised a rules-based objection. Rather, the main concerns centered around the time commitment and uncertainty involved. He argued that the lack of recent attempts to utilize the filibuster effectively reflects a general reluctance to engage in such debates. “Muscles can atrophy without use,” he said, asserting that no rules should change, but rather an expectation for participation should be reinstated.
Lee emphasized that if anyone wished to filibuster the bill, they ought to show up, stand, and articulate their points clearly.
In a later segment, Majority Leader John Thune remarked to Politico about the filibuster’s long history and some potential consequences of utilizing it, laughing when asked if South Dakota Republicans were prepared for the lengthy discussions it could entail. “No, I don’t,” he admitted, indicating a certain level of uncertainty surrounding its execution.
Lee reiterated that while the challenges of undertaking a filibuster—such as effort and unforeseen political tactics—might seem daunting, they shouldn’t deter action. He pointed out that public support for the legislation is substantial, with around 80 to 85 percent of Americans backing it. He stressed that to retain the Republican majority in Congress, they must pursue action on issues that the American people desire. “We have to give it a shot,” he concluded.
