Senate Leaders Resolve Filibuster Differences, Move Forward With Talks Over Power Splitting 50-50 Senate
Top senators from both sides of the aisle are laying down their arms and moving forward with talks over sharing power.
“Senator Manchin, yesterday, made it clear he was not going to support getting rid of the legislative filibuster under any circumstances for the duration of this Congress,” McConnell stated. “I talked to Senator Sinema last night, she said the same thing, so the issue as far as I’m concerned is resolved.”
On Monday, McConnell said he would drop his push to get official confirmation that the upper chamber would keep the filibuster. He indicated the flipping of Sinema and Manchin waned Democrats’ power to kill the controversial practice.
Today, I made clear that if Democrats ever attack the key Senate rules, it would drain the consent and comity out of the institution. A scorched-earth Senate would hardly be able to function. It wouldn’t be a progressive’s dream. It would be a nightmare.
I guarantee it.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) January 26, 2021
McConnell noted, retaining the filibuster is essential in keeping the framers’ vision of the Senate intact, making it a deliberative and cooperative body.
With the filibuster at least 60 senators will have to agree on a bill for it to pass. Additionally, this dwindles Democrats’ power to use their slim majority to pass their legislative agenda by a simple majority.
“I think having that on the record pretty much ensures that at least for the foreseeable future, we’ll be able to maintain the 60 vote threshold when it comes to most legislation,” stated Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). “And ensure that minority voices and votes are represented in the United States Senate.”
Meanwhile, McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will hash out the details of an organizing resolution. This will decide who will be assigned to the various Senate committees.
The Senate requires collaboration and deliberation. It’s a feature, not a bug, that slim majorities can't ram through half-baked ideas.
My remarks on the legislative filibuster and why I stuck up for the minority’s rights even when Republicans had power: https://t.co/vtKFPDeVJe
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) January 26, 2021
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