The parliamentarian’s influence is significant, but the Senate’s rules ultimately belong to senators themselves. This piece explains why parliamentary advice matters while reminding readers who actually controls the chamber.

This piece explains how Democrats could have used existing Senate rules to force a real talking filibuster on voting-rights legislation. Rather than changing the rules, it shows how Rule VII and Rule XIX already provided a path to debate, votes, and greater political accountability.

Democrats could have already voted to begin debate on the voting rights bill if they spent less time complaining about the Senate’s rules and more time using them to achieve their goals.