Fearing the crippling of prospects for passage of civil rights legislation in the United States Senate if a “compromise” resolution on the Senate rules fight offered by Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas is passed, six major national Jewish organizations today called on liberal forces in the Senate fight to insist on amendment of the measure before voting for it.
The Jewish groups, which were joined by a number of local community relations councils affiliated with the National Community Relations Advisory Council, noted that the Johnson resolution leaves virtually unchanged the Senate closure rules which permit filibuster by a handful of Senators desirous of killing civil rights legislation favored by a majority of the Senate. The Jewish groups said it was an “illusion” to assume that the Johnston measure in its present form would free the Senate of the filibuster.
Supporting the call for amendment of the Johnson resolution were the American Jewish Congress, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish War Veterans, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, United Synagogue of America and 13 local community relations councils.
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