In addition to all she discusses, I would prefer to choose the change that adds the largest number of seats to the House. Because the great benefit would be to impact the Electoral College by having more EC votes coming from House seats vs 100-106 Senate seats.
...So if Congress is going to make the effort, then as I now like to say,
"Make the juice worth the squeeze". I would meanwhile continue to also work to pass the National Popular Vote agreement between states.
(Note, this alone does not address another gorilla in the House - partisan gerrymandering.)
2.. Democratize the Filibuster.
This WaPo essay from 2021 outlines the idea, benefits, and why it does not clash with Constitutional provisions for 1 senator 1 vote on 'final votes', which do not govern procedural votes.
This is the key element, "...require the support of a majority of senators who collectively represent a majority of the U.S. population..." to bring all Legislation and Judicial appointments to the floor for a vote.
Hi Thom, I would like to note two possible improvements to the structure of Congress that could help make it become more representative of the people.
1. Increasing the total number of House Representatives.
There are a couple of bills in the House, one by Rep Blumenauer, that are intended to increase the total number of seats in the house. Danielle Allen has written at least 3 essays in The Washington Post on many such proposals. Here's one of the essays, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/28/danielle-allen-democracy-reform-congress-house-expansion/
In addition to all she discusses, I would prefer to choose the change that adds the largest number of seats to the House. Because the great benefit would be to impact the Electoral College by having more EC votes coming from House seats vs 100-106 Senate seats.
...So if Congress is going to make the effort, then as I now like to say,
"Make the juice worth the squeeze". I would meanwhile continue to also work to pass the National Popular Vote agreement between states.
(Note, this alone does not address another gorilla in the House - partisan gerrymandering.)
2.. Democratize the Filibuster.
This WaPo essay from 2021 outlines the idea, benefits, and why it does not clash with Constitutional provisions for 1 senator 1 vote on 'final votes', which do not govern procedural votes.
This is the key element, "...require the support of a majority of senators who collectively represent a majority of the U.S. population..." to bring all Legislation and Judicial appointments to the floor for a vote.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/06/dont-eliminate-filibuster-democratize-it/
...And the Senate should make it unalterable unless those wishing to change it follow the rules of the Senate's democratic filibuster.