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Why Is The Senate Parliamentarian So Powerful?

Why Is The Senate Parliamentarian So Powerful?

There's someone who knows the rules in the Senate. All the rules. And nothing gets by them. Today we learn about one of the most powerful, least-seen, and most nonpartisan positions in Washington DC.

Civics 101

March 29, 202228m 8s

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Show Notes

Since 1935, the Senate has had a parliamentarian. Their job is to decide, in a truly nonpartisan way, how things operate in the chamber. Their power to decide what can and cannot be done when it comes to legislation, filibustering, motions, and points of order has grown ever since. 

Today, learn about this complicated and often-unseen role from Sarah Binder, professor at George Washington University, and a person who spent over thirty years in the office, former Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin.

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