The Hill News

Sen. Specter delivered these remarks on the senate floor on December 21.

“This is not a farewell address, but rather a closing argument to a jury of my colleagues and the American people outlining my views on how the Senate â€" and with it, the Federal Government -- arrived at its current condition of partisan gridlock, and my suggestions of where we go from here on that pressing problem and key issues of national and international importance.

To make a final floor statement is a challenge.  The Washington Post noted the poor attendance at my colleagues’ farewell speeches earlier this month.  That is really not surprising since there is hardly anyone ever on the Senate floor.  The days of lively debate with many members on the floor are long gone.  Abuse of Senate rules has pretty much stripped senators of the right to offer amendments.  The modern filibuster requires only a threat and no talking.  So the Senate’s dominant activity for ! more than a decade has been the virtually continuous drone of the quorum call.

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