The Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Cloture and Final Passage—Oral History

Charles D. Ferris: Staff Director, Senate Democratic Policy Committee (1963-1977)

As staff director for the Democratic Policy Committee in 1964, Charles Ferris was heavily involved in the bipartisan strategy sessions that took place throughout the lengthy debate over the Civil Right Act of 1964.

Featured Excerpts:

"It succeeded legislatively because the time was sufficient for the case to be made in opposition fully and completely, and to the satisfaction of those that were opposed."

"His ego really was not a factor. He felt that these Senators were very experienced, and committed, and could do the job, and would substantively be responsible."

"Cloture protects the small states. It was like the constitutional compromise of two Senators from each state, the cloture vote was a corollary of the same concept."

"You needed Dirksen to get the cloture votes."

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