Former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday defending the Senate filibuster, arguing that the United States needs the procedural rule to guard against concentrated political power.
The filibuster allows a minority of senators to block legislation from reaching a final vote, requiring 60 votes to advance most bills. The rule is not part of the Constitution and has been modified several times throughout American history.
What the Right Is Saying
In his Wall Street Journal op-ed, Sasse argued that the filibuster serves as a necessary check on majority power. "The filibuster provides a bulwark against consolidated power," he wrote, describing it as "a prerequisite for national recovery and endurance." The former senator, who served Nebraska from 2015 to 2023 before resigning to become president of Midland University, has consistently supported maintaining the 60-vote threshold. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republicans have similarly defended the filibuster as essential for bipartisan governance, particularly after Democrats used budget reconciliation to advance portions of their agenda without Republican support.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic critics of the filibuster have long argued that the procedural hurdle prevents Congress from addressing pressing national issues. Supporters of changing or eliminating the filibuster, including some progressive advocacy groups, contend that the rule enables a minority to obstruct majorities repeatedly elected by voters. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats have called for reforms in recent years, arguing that the current Senate often fails to act on legislation with broad public support.
What the Numbers Show
The use of the filibuster has fluctuated significantly over time. According to Senate records, there were 298 cloture motions filed in the 117th Congress (2021-2022), compared to just 21 in the 90th Congress (1967-1968). The number of nominees confirmed without 60 votes has increased substantially since the Senate eliminated the filibuster for most executive branch appointments in 2013. The current 60-vote threshold applies to legislation and some nominations, though budget reconciliation bills and certain judicial picks can advance with a simple majority.
The Bottom Line
The debate over the filibuster reflects broader tensions about how Congress should function as a legislative body. Sasse's op-ed adds to an ongoing conversation about whether the Senate's procedural rules help preserve deliberation or obstruct democratic action. Observers note that whichever party holds power in the Senate has historically shown interest in reforming the filibuster when out of majority, then defending it once regaining minority status.