his memoir on january 16 starts about the special role of the senate and the way present -- senator cymer described it and he hasn't worked that way as leader. run through things on a simple majority basis and we have seen obstruction at times when compromise was necessary. host: the minority leader mentioned the various roles being changed at the rule of filibuster. do you think that is easily changed and what are the long-term effects on both sides? guest: i think the long-term effects have been destructive and the senate is a post -- is supposed to be this cooling saucer. when filibusters were real but rare and you really needed the majority and minority to come together to get anything done, but the senators understood their obligation to do that. when one person couldn't hold up the senate indefinitely. that was how the senate used to work. without those restraints, it has become a block on the nation rather than -- it has essentially impaired our progress rather than being what senator schumer said, which is that begin of hope and common sense that we so need at any time, particular