ISU Democrats' Filibuster to Enter One Hundredth Hour
Group Protest Draws Attention to Danger of “Nuclear Option” in U.S. Senate
Iowa
State University Democrats, distressed over the potential violation of
Senate rules, history, and tradition by the Republican majority, will
continue their mock filibuster past the one hundredth hour in a press
conference Monday, May 23rd, at 4:34pm, outside the campus library.
These
students, joined by community members and guest speakers, are
demonstrating against the Republicans’ threat to invoke the “Nuclear
Option,” a term coined by Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) to describe a
flagrant disregard for Senate procedure, in their effort to confirm
extremist, right-wing judges.
Drew
Miller, Iowa College Democrats President, pointed to the record of the
judges as well as the rules violation. “This is a right-wing
power grab, no doubt about it,” he said. “Republicans aren’t
happy to have only 95% of their judges confirmed, even though it is a
much higher percentage than they themselves allowed President Bill
Clinton. They want to abolish historic Senate rules so they can
confirm judges who oppose Social Security, the minimum wage, and
environmental protections. Democrats are using powers
traditionally granted to the minority party to stop the Republicans’
radical anti-American agenda.”
The ISU
Democrats are joining college groups across the nation in starting and
maintaining these mock filibusters. As of now, groups from
twenty-three states have engaged or are participating for this cause.
EVENT: ISU Democrats Filibuster to Save the Filibuster 100th Hour
DATE: Monday, May 23rd
TIME: 4:34pm Hundredth Hour Press Conference
LOCATION: Parks Library Entryway, Corner of Osborn Dr. & Morill Rd., Iowa State University, Ames IA 50011
Go here to sign the Move On petition against the nuclear option. Help preserve the rights of the minority party by saving the filibuster.
Need a break from dispair? Check out the ISU Dems' filibuster blog. They're getting a little punchy!
Blog For Iowa 
Here are a few of the speakers:
Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, State Representative District 45
Drew Miller, Iowa College Democrats of America President
Mansoor Khadir, ISU Student and Filibuster Participant
Erica Liabo, ISU Student and Filibuster Participant
Doug Finnemore, ISU Professor in Physics
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