May 25, 2005

On Monday night, we achieved victory and saved the filibuster and the rights of the minority party in the U.S. Senate. Thousands of people like you took action by writing and calling your Senators, and we stopped the abuse of power.

     A bipartisan group of Senators, surely influenced by the flood of e-mails, letters, and calls received from AFSCME members and others across the country, reached a compromise agreement to take the “nuclear option” off the table. The filibuster has been saved. 

     Furthermore, as part of the agreement, the President is encouraged to consult more closely with members of the Senate on future nominations.  Democrats will allow final confirmation votes for three previously blocked appeals court nominees. And lastly, future nominees will only be filibustered under “extraordinary” circumstances. 

     This is a significant victory -- not only for the rules of the Senate and the rights of our advocates in Congress, but also for the tens of thousands of Americans who stood up against an unprecedented power grab.

     A group of moderate Senators struck the deal. But you and thousands like you deserve the credit. Help our online network of activists grow by forwarding this message to co-workers by clicking here or by using the "Tell-A-Friend" link at the bottom of this message.

In solidarity,

Tracey Conaty

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