Like in the Song "Beer For my Horses", It's Time to Draw a Hard Line.

Revisiting the Origins of Senate Norms and Power

I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: many of the rules we treat as foundational in the U.S. Senate — including the filibuster, Blue Slips, and even the position of Senate Majority Leader — are not laws, not even in the Constitution, and in some cases were created by accident. Look it up. These practices often serve politicians rather than citizens, limiting our rights and influence.

Christy Rose recently wrote that JD Vance should replace John Thune as Senate Majority Leader, arguing that the Vice President has a constitutional right to preside over the Senate and could advance an entire conservative agenda before midterms and I agree.

The Senate Majority Leader: A Modern Invention

Most people don’t realize that the position of Senate Majority Leader isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Constitution. It’s essentially a modern creation.

Under Article I, Section 3, the Vice President serves as President of the Senate, with authority to preside and cast tiebreaking votes. When John Adams served as Vice President from 1797–1801, he regularly presided over the Senate — and during that time, no Senate Majority Leader existed. The title did not appear until 1913.

Per the Constitution of the United States:

"The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."

"The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States."

Who sits next to the Speaker of the House during the State of the Union at the very top of the Rostrum. That is to signify the leadership of both the House and the Senate. The Senate being the visiting body. No place is there a special chair on the Rostrum for the Senate Majority leader. When exploring the seating arrangement at the SOTU no place is the majority leader even mentioned.

Today, the position is held by John Thune, elected by Senate Republicans in November 2024 to replace Mitch McConnell. However, because the role is purely a Senate invention, it can also be eliminated by a simple majority vote (51 votes). Doing so would allow the Vice President — currently JD Vance — to preside more directly. Some argue that this could lead to more decisive legislative action.

A Pattern of Invented Norms

Figures like Charlie Kirk and Senator Mike Lee have pointed out that many Senate “norms” were created for the convenience of the Senate itself, not the public. The filibuster, blue slips, and other procedural tools have often been used to delay or block legislation rather than facilitate democratic decisionmaking.

A Call for Change

If these norms no longer serve the people, perhaps it’s time to reconsider them. Maybe eliminating these procedural barriers would finally allow meaningful progress. We do not and should not accept gridlock. This is one reason for voter apathy and feeling our vote will change nothing. We need to get loud and go straight to congress and force getting rid of the vehicle that is driving our republic to certain destruction.

Editor's note: Welcome Contributor Rick Hallman, "The Philosophical Warrior", to Red White and True News! This is his first submission as our new contributing commentator and opinion writer. Rick brings sharp insights to our platform. We're excited to feature his perspective. You can follow Rick directly at his Facebook page.