Warren Prepares to Take on Filibuster

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Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren is vowing to join with other Democrats in Washington to limit the use of the filibuster — a move she said will help break gridlock by curbing the Republicans’ ability to block votes.

In what would be one of her first official acts after taking office in January, Warren says she'll vote to require that Senators who want to filibuster actually stand on the Senate floor and speak continuously instead of merely threatening to do so.

Minority parties in the Senate use filibusters to slow or kill legislation. They can only be ended by 60 votes. Democrats will command a 55-45 majority in the chamber in the new session.

Warren says without the changes, Republicans will only frustrate her efforts to carry out the will of the voters.