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Al Franken Aids Democratic Grip

By Scott Sarvay
June 18, 2010 Updated Jul 1, 2009 at 4:22 PM EST WASHINGTON (Indiana's NewsCenter) - The confirmation of Al Franken as Minnesota’s newest U.S. Senator gives President Barack Obama a big advantage when it comes to moving his agenda through Congress. With 60 votes, Democrats in the Senate will now be able to overcome any efforts by Republicans to hold up legislation through what's known as a filibuster. Democrats are now in control of both the White House and the Congress. Assistant Professor Of Political Science Michael Wolf says, “The U.S. Senate has never been as ideological as it is now. So, the fact that one party has the ability to do this is really remarkable. There has never been a time where it ideological divided parties as we have right now. So, this is a big moment.” Wolf says even with the majority Senate members like to put their own "stamp" on legislation meaning they may not always vote true to their party if they don't like the proposal before them.
(© Copyright 2009 Indiana's NewsCenter. All Rights Reserved.)

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