Commentary: How 'filibuster' carries centuries of baggage Alfredo Torres Jr., For the Express-News April 5, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell denounces efforts to abolish the filibuster, saying that he would use procedures to turn the Senate into a “100-car pileup, nothing moving.” The filibuster rule should be eliminated because of its current abuse and disgraceful past.Chip Somodevilla /Getty Images “Words matter” is a cliché being tossed about these days. But, really, they do matter. By now, the phrase “filibuster” has conjured up images of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell doubling down and demanding Democrats do not tamper with the rule. And McConnell, being McConnell, went a bit further, threatening a “scorched earth” policy if Democrats kill the filibuster. It seems no one has told McConnell that the GOP no longer has real power.