Story: Senators Reach Deal on Judicial Filibusters: 05/24/05
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june05/filibuster_5-24.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What is a filibuster and how can it be ended?

2. When have filibusters been used in the past?

3. Why did Democrats oppose President Bush's nominees?

4. What were Democrats threatening to do if Senator Frist used the "nuclear option"?

Discussion Questions (more research might be needed):

1. Research some of President Bush's judge nominations the Democrats have blocked. Do you agree that the judges are controversial? Would you vote to approve them?

2. Republicans called the Democrats' use of the filibuster unconstitutional because nominees deserve a yes-or-no vote. Democrats called the "nuclear option" unconstitutional because it silences the voice of the minority by taking away the tools they have to make their opinions heard. Do you think the filibuster or the "nuclear option" is unconstitutional? Why? Defend your answer.

Send your answers, in essay form, to extra@newshour.org for possible publication!