Anwar proposes resolution to limit Senate debate, ending vital tradition in the Constitution State.

He is not done yet. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) has proposed a resolution to limit debate in the Senate

to including (1) a maximum of three hours of

debate time for each political party’s members to discuss a single issue

after which a vote shall be called, (2) a prohibition on any individual

member speaking for more than one hour on a single topic during a

debate, and (3) a prohibition on an individual member deviating from

the relevant subject of the bill or resolution being debated, violation of

which shall initially result in a verbal warning, and continued violation

of which may result in the forfeiture of the member’s allotted time to

debate.

It appears not to have occurred to Anwar, a partisan with narrow political vision, that sometimes support and opposition forms along something other than party lines. Though Anwar is unlikely to be one of them, there are members who possess enough knowledge to need to speak for more than an hour on an issue. And who is to decide under the third prong of this poisonous proposal what a deviation is?

Legislators may safely conclude what I have known for nearly five years. Saud Anwar despises our tradition of free speech in the Constitution State. Two years ago, he wanted to fine people who exercised their right not to vote. This year, he wants to penalize Senate colleagues who embrace debate and the vigorous exchange of ideas. He also wants to limit introducing visitors to the Senate and members with announcements.

This resolution reveals more than Anwar may have intended. Colleagues should take note.

January 10, 2025.