Yesterdays failure in the Senate to take up the Jan 6 commission bill has evoked renewed discussion of the filibuster.
My memory of politics in the 1950's and 1960's was that the filibuster became an issue only in connection with a "civil rights bill". There might have been other uses, but civil rights was the key, meaning the liberals were perpetually frustrated. That's very unlike today, where the filibuster becomes a factor in most partisan issues. In the 1950's and early 60's the big obstacle to liberal proposals on issues other than civil rights was Rep. Howard Smith and the House Rules Committee. It took years of work by both JFK and, I think, LBJ to change the House rules to get more liberals added tot he committee.
Back in those days breaking a filibuster required 67 votes, an almost impossible hurdle. But because party ideology was less important, national media in state elections of senators not important at all, LBJ was able to nickel and dime enough members to pass the civil rights bills, one reason why I regard him as a great flawed president.
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