RI Senate votes to eliminate filibuster

The Rhode Island State House. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island state Sen. Sam Bell has likely held the last attempted filibuster in the state to oppose a new five-minute floor limit.

The Providence Journal reports that Bell told Senate President Dominick Ruggerio he would keep speaking Wednesday until the chamber voted for him to stop.

Lawmakers responded in turn, with Sen. Donna Nesselbush the lone vote in favor of letting Bell keep talking.

The new limit along with other Senate rules passed 32-3, with Sen. Adam Satchell, Bell and Nesselbush voting in opposition.

Other rule changes include allowing the Senate president to remove senators from committees “for cause,” and a ban on posters and banners on the floor.

Bell has long opposed the rule changes, which he says are a “massive power grab” for the Senate president.

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