Senior Senate Democrats are interested in making another attempt to eliminate or alter the filibuster. This happens as two of their party’s biggest opponents to the change — Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, D-W.V. — are retiring.
“I hope that we will use this opportunity to take a hard look at the Senate rules,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “A filibuster has dramatically changed the United States Senate for the worse. We’re no longer a deliberative, mandatory body and it’s because of the filibuster. And I miss it. I remember the days when it was a fulsome, bipartisan chamber.”
In addition to a total elimination, there are options to alter the filibuster. The options include requiring a talking filibuster or placing restrictions on the type of legislation it can be used for.
“Because Senator Sinema essentially opposed changing the filibuster, now, we may have a majority in favor of reforming this set of rules which is obstructive, really an obstacle to progress that the American people want,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. “The majority should rule in the United States Senate. The minority shouldn’t be able to block us.”
Republicans are unified in their stance that the 60-vote threshold must remain. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that it has served the Senate well.
“I’ve been for preserving it when it was not to my advantage,” Graham said. “If you want the Senate to become the House it would be a bad, bad decision.”
The last attempt to end the filibuster was in January 2022, when Democrats were trying to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. The legislation did not have sufficient support due to Republican opposition. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attempted to move the act forward by making a point of order, which required a simple majority vote of approval. It failed 52-48 because Manchin, Sinema and every Republican voted against it.
Schumer referred to the voting rights bill when asked if he would make another attempt at ending the filibuster once Sinema and Manchin leave.
“When people attempt to — courts or legislators — take away voting rights, particularly of the most disenfranchised people, we have an obligation to do everything we can to restore those voting rights,” Schumer said.
If Democrats are going to make any changes, they will need to maintain their majority. Since Sinema and Manchin are retiring, that has become more difficult.