In her latest column, Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder Jenny Beth Martin says Republicans need to ‘shut down’ the Democrats if there is any hope of saving the Senate. Now the minority in the Senate, Democrats are looking for any opportunity to be “obstructionists.” From using the blue slip, to refusing to show up for votes, to staging walk-outs, and generally stalling the nomination process, the Senate Democrats are going out of their way to “obstruct” much-needed reform.

The Hill has the commentary:

The Senate is in desperate need of reform so it can once again function as the esteemed chamber it was intended to be. Republican leadership should pursue two easy steps to achieve that reform.

First, eliminate the 30-hour debate allowance. Sen. Lankford has proposed limiting debate to no more than eight hours on presidential nominees, which would significantly speed up the confirmation process, and which makes sense – after all, it’s not the debate that matters, ultimately, it’s the vote.

Second, the blue slip practice, while a pleasant gesture that harkens back to a different era in American politics, has outlived its usefulness. The practice was intended to enhance discussions about nominees — not bring those discussions to a grinding halt.

Those two reforms alone would go a long way toward reforming the Senate and restoring it to its intended role in the government.

Senate Democrats’ efforts to “obstruct” and stall progress are only hurting the American people. Republican leadership should take action to prevent Democrats from turning the once revered chamber into a sinking ship!