Cost: Now that Franken Makes 60 Votes, What Does Filibuster Proof Majority Mean?

With Al Franken now installed as Minnesota’s second senator – a lot has been made about the Democrats having a “filibuster-proof” majority. Perhaps too much. A filibuster-proof majority is great for the party that has it, but it has its limits. On purely party-line votes, perhaps procedural stuff, it should make a difference. But, on the really big stuff, what will matter is the preferences of the individual legislators.