President Joe Biden and his senior advisers meet with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Thursday, October 7, 2021, in Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti’s West Wing office. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)
Politics

Manchin Throws Cold Water on Democrats’ Hopes to Change Filibuster and Pass Election Bills

Ann

Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) threw cold water on Democrats’ hopes of changing filibuster rules and passing election reform.

Manchin said that any changes to Senate rules, which will be needed to pass election reform, should include bipartisan support.

In recent days Senate Democrats have amplified calls for Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to push the change to the filibuster. Schumer offered somewhat of a compromise, saying that Democrats will bring election reform to the Senate floor and will then change the rules if Republicans chose to use the current ones to their advantage.

A veiled threat.

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Manchin’s comments followed the new posturing and seem to end any hopes the Democrats had.

One alternative proposal was changing the filibuster rule only for voting legislation, something Manchin strongly opposed.

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