In the incisive and revelatory "Kill Switch," former Senate insider Adam Jentleson offers a compelling critique of the United States Senate's evolution into an institution that, paradoxically, undermines the democracy it is meant to serve. Jentleson argues that the Senate, once hailed as the world's greatest deliberative body, has devolved into a bastion of minority rule, primarily white and conservative, wielding disproportionate power to block progressive legislation. At the heart of this transformation is the abuse of the filibuster, a tool not envisioned by the Framers but now used to stifle the legislative process and curb the will of an increasingly diverse and liberal American majority. Through a historical lens, Jentleson tracks this distortion from its roots in the 1800s with John Calhoun to its modern-day champion, Mitch McConnell, exposing how the filibuster has been manipulated to obstruct civil rights, healthcare, and more, in stark contrast to the original intentions of American democracy. "Kill Switch" goes beyond mere critique, diving deep into the Senate's corridors to unveil how this decline reflects broader challenges facing the United States, such as partisan polarization, dark money in politics, and a media environment steeped in outrage. By connecting the dots between historical figures like Calhoun, McConnell, and Lyndon Johnson's mentor, Richard Russell, with contemporary political battles, Jentleson paints a vivid picture of a critical institution at the brink. With urgency and expertise, he argues for substantial reforms, starting with the filibuster, to prevent the entrenchment of permanent minority rule. This book is not only an essential diagnosis of one of America's key political institutions but also a clarion call for change, making it a must-read for anyone concerned with the future of American democracy.