For the First Time Since 2007, a Party Filibusters Its Own President
Democrats led the charge to thwart fast-track authority for their president.
on June 19, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Photographer: Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Once the exception, filibusters are now the norm in the Senate. But it is exceedingly rare for senators to filibuster a signature initiative by a president of their own party.
That's what the Democratic minority did Tuesday by blocking a motion to debate Trade Promotion Authority, a vehicle to fast-track a trade pact that President Barack Obama is negotiating and allow Congress to have the final word on it.