Minority leader in the Senate Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Biden attends first church service as president in DC, stops at local bagel shop Harry Reid ‘not particularly optimistic’ Biden will push to eliminate filibuster Senators spar over validity of Trump impeachment process MORE (R-Ky.) On Monday night indicated that a power-sharing deal could go ahead after two Democrats reiterated they would not ignore the 60-vote legislative filibuster.
Today, two Democratic senators publicly confirmed that they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster. They agree with President Biden’s view and my view that no majority of the Senate has the right of future minorities of either party to join. help shape legislation ”.
“The legislative filibuster was an important part of the foundation under the Senate’s last 50-50 power-sharing agreement in 2001. With these assurances, I look forward to moving forward with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent,” added McConnell. .
The GOP leader’s comments effectively end the days-long deadlock on how to organize an evenly distributed 50-50 Senate, where Democrats have the majority as Vice President Harris can break a tie.
Leader of the majority of the Senate Charles Schumer
Chuck Schumer Cases of the Capitol Rebellion: A PATRIOT Act 2.0? Schumer calls on the DOJ watchdog to investigate Trump’s alleged attempt to oust the acting AG. Student loan forgiveness would be a windfall for dentists, doctors and lawyers MORE (DN.Y.) immediately declared victory.
“We are pleased that Senator McConnell threw in the towel and gave up his ridiculous demand. We look forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and getting big, bold things done for the American people,” said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer.
McConnell’s comments come after Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinBiden officials hold call with bipartisan senatorial group over coronavirus aid plan Harry Reid ‘not particularly optimistic’ Biden will push to eliminate filibuster Durbin: Senate should consider changes to filibuster MORE (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) Reiterated on Monday that they are against ignoring the 60-vote legislative filibuster.
“I’m not in favor of abolishing the filibuster under any circumstances. It’s not who I am,” Manchin told reporters.
Sinema’s office also reiterated on Monday that she is still not in favor of ignoring the filibuster after The Washington Post falsely suggested she might be open to removing the 60-vote hurdle.
Sinema “is against eliminating the filibuster, and she is not open to change her mind about eliminating the filibuster,” a spokesperson told the Post.
Their positions are not new, but their statements seem to have reassured Republicans amid growing calls from outside groups and members of the Democratic Senate college to ignore the 60-vote filibuster.
Power-sharing talks have actually stalled for days after McConnell said he wanted assurances about the fate of the legislative filibuster as part of the agreement with Schumer on organizing the 50-50 Senate. That has kept the chamber in a strange state of uncertainty, where Democrats hold the majority but Republicans control the committees.
McConnell and Schumer are expected to agree to a deal that mirrors the 2001 power-sharing agreement, when the Senate was last divided equally. Under the 2001 deal, nominations or legislation receiving tied votes in committee continued to be forwarded to the full Senate.
Democrats last week rejected McConnell’s filibuster demand, though they did not specify how they thought the situation would be resolved.
Democrats don’t have the votes to ignore the filibuster, but they’ve also made fun of McConnell trying to lock them in, despite no longer checking the room.
Schumer, in an interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow
Rachel Anne Maddow Fauci Describes The ‘Chilling’ Pressure On Trump-Era Scientists Fauci Tells Maddow He Was ‘Blocked’ From Appearing On The Show Under Trump Administrator A Vaccine, A Burrito & More: 7 Lighter, Memorable moments from 2020 MORE, who was recorded before McConnell’s statement, said he thought McConnell would “come to his senses and accept our offer” within a few days.
“He’s not getting his way … That’s universal in my caucus,” Schumer said, adding that McConnell’s move “really angered my whole caucus.”
Updated at 11:17 PM