With only about five work weeks remaining on the legislative calendar for the 105th Congress, Democrats in the Senate have amassed quite a record of under-achievement when it comes to doing the nation's business. The pattern is clear: Senate Democrats have made it their business to put the special interests of trial lawyers and union bosses at the top of the legislative agenda, to put politics over principle.

Since assuming the minority in 1995, Senate Democrats have stonewalled, and continue to stonewall, meaningful reform. From welfare reform on the national level (104th Congress) down to a single local program to give underprivileged students in the District of Columbia a chance to choose a better school (Coats amendment), Democrats have been there to block the way.

Cloture Nearly 60% Higher with Democratic Minority

[Number of Cloture motions tabulated as of July 29 each year.]

Filibuster Kills
Major Initiatives in
105th Congress

Two for Union Bosses

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Paycheck Protection

Four for Trial Lawyers

• Tobacco Bill
• Product Liability
• Property Rights
• Volunteer Protection Act

Three: "Politics as Usual"

• Campaign Finance Reform
• American Missile Protection
• Nuclear Waste

Legislation Filibustered by Senate Democrats in the 105th Congress
(Partial list, as of July 29, 1998)

• Nuclear Waste Policy Act (S. 104)
  
  4 cloture motions, prevented final passage

  Volunteer Protection Act (S. 543)
  

  4 cloture motions, prevented floor debate

  Family Friendly Workplace "Flex-time" Act (S. 4)
  

  2 cloture motions, prevented final passage

  FDA Reform (S. 830)
  

  4 cloture motions, required 3 weeks floor action to complete

  Scholarships for District Students
  

  1 cloture motion, prevented vote on Coats amendment

  Paycheck Protection
  

  3 cloture motions, prevented vote on Lott amendment

  Education Savings Accounts (1997 version)
  

  7 cloture motions before allowing final vote

  American Missile Protection Act (S. 1873)
  

  1 cloture motion, prevented final passage

  Nuclear Waste Policy Act (S. 104 & H.R. 1270)
  

  3 cloture motions, prevented floor debate

  Product Liability (S. 648)
  

  2 cloture motions, prevented final passage

  Property Rights (S. 2271)
  

  1 cloture motion, prevented floor debate