Jim DeMint's 'undemocratic' Senate blockade
The Tea Party's favorite senator says he will block any legislation he has not personally approved until after the midterms. Can he do that?

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is threatening to block all bills that have not been cleared by his office, potentially freezing pending legislation until after the November midterms. The Senate is scheduled to adjourn Thursday until after the elections, so DeMint could disrupt Democrats' plans to pass stopgap spending bills needed to keep the government running after Sept. 30. But he could also stall even noncontroversial bills Republicans and Democrats alike were hoping to pass before Election Day. Can one senator really bring Congress to a halt?
Yes, but this makes a mockery of democracy: This petulant, "undemocratic" nonsense accomplishes nothing, says Paul Thornton in the Los Angeles Times, other than turning "Congress into a sort of legislative dictatorship," with DeMint in charge. By potentially even denying his own party leaders "the ability to negotiate with Democrats," DeMint has become the "poster child" for changing the Senate's absurd rule structure.
"Jim DeMint: The most undemocratic senator?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Somebody has to rein in Democratic lame ducks: Democrats want to cram through a mountain of bills before voters show them the door, says Paul Chesser at The American Spectator. Republicans should be happy that Jim DeMint had the courage to say, "not so fast!" Now, nothing will sail through on unanimous consent unless DeMint is certain senators from both parties have read and approved the legislation. Ah, "the beauty of obstructionism."
"DeMint: Not so fast, ye lame ducks"
This takes obstructionism to a new level: Senators have long had this power, though they have "usually hesitated" to exercise it, says Jonathan Cohn in The New Republic. But Republicans have made "unprecedented use of the filibuster and deployment of anonymous holds to block" Obama's nominees and agenda. This amounts to "nothing short of a breakdown of the old norms" that both parties followed "to keep the government functioning." DeMint's grandstanding just shows he craves power, but doesn't "take governing seriously."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cosy cabins for a country escape
The Week Recommends Slow down and take in the nature at these amazing. secluded retreats
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Scientists invent a solid carbon-negative building material
Under the radar Building CO2 into the buildings
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published