End Silent Procedural Obstruction. Require the Talking Filibuster.

COMMENTARY Conservatism

End Silent Procedural Obstruction. Require the Talking Filibuster.

Mar 12, 2026 1 min read
COMMENTARY BY
Chris Wingate

Government Relations Director

Chris Wingate is the Government Relations Director at The Heritage Foundation.
The U.S. Capitol building is seen on March 09, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Heather Diehl / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Congress’s day-to-day functioning would improve significantly if the Senate ended silent procedural obstruction and instead required the talking filibuster.

Differences of opinion warrant deliberation—not quiet procedural delay.

Congress should deliberate openly and decide decisively. Visible debate strengthens legitimacy, clarifies differences and restores public trust.

Congress’s day-to-day functioning would improve significantly if the Senate ended silent procedural obstruction and instead required the talking filibuster—thereby promoting visible, sustained debate on major legislation.

Polling consistently shows broad support for mandating proof of citizenship to vote—which means that legislation like the SAVE America Act deserves real debate and a clear up-or-down outcome. Congress should not allow the bill to stall through procedural delay, especially when the public is this aligned on protecting the integrity of our elections. The same is true for core responsibilities like funding the Department of Homeland Security at a time of heightened national security risk. Differences of opinion warrant deliberation—not quiet procedural delay.

Unified government carries responsibility. When voters deliver governing majorities, Congress should deliberate openly and decide decisively. Visible debate strengthens legitimacy, clarifies differences and restores public trust.

This piece originally appeared in NOTUS

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