A historic civil rights organization has joined the National Council of Churches USA in warning that efforts to eliminate the Senate filibuster may dismantle the system of checks and balances that once made civil rights legislation possible, and could now alter the fabric of American society.
Threats to change Senate rules so filibusters against judicial appointments could be ended by a 51 percent vote represent "a small skirmish," said Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
Henderson joined NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar in a forum in New York May 6 to respond to right-wing religious groups that want to end the filibuster. The forum was moderated by Professor Sonia Jarvis, Visiting Ackerman Professor of Equality and Justice in America at Baruch College, New York.
"This is a prelude to a bigger fight over Supreme Court appointments,” Henderson said. “With a 51 percent majority, Attila the Hun could be confirmed."
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