On Tuesday, Democrat Senator Joe Manchin (WV) told reporters that it would be “very difficult” for him to support a reform of the Senate filibuster so Democrats could ram through election overhaul bills and other legislation.
Manchin was asked by Politico congressional reporter Burgess Everett whether he opposes changing Senate rules or using the “nuclear option” to remove the Senate filibuster.
Manchin responded, “[I’ve] always been for rules [changes] being done the way we’ve always done them, two-thirds of members voting, and any way you can do a rules change to where everyone is involved, and basically that’s a rule that usually will stay, that’s what we should be pursuing. [We’re] still having ongoing conversations as far as voting because I think the bedrock of democracy is making sure that you’re able to cast a vote. If you’re legal, of age, and a United States citizen, you should be able to cast a vote, and it should be counted accurately. So we’re talking about those things there.”
When pressed by another reporter, Manchin reiterated his concerns.
“The need for us to protect democracy as we know it, and the Senate, as it has operated for 232 years, are extremely, extremely high bars that we must be careful if we’re willing to cross those. So, I’m talking. I’m not agreeing to any of this. … I want to talk and see all the options we have open,” Manchin said.
Manchin’s comments come the same day he told reporters that there are no negotiations going on over President Biden’s social spending package.
“I’m really not going to talk about Build Back Better because I think I’ve been very clear on that. There is no negotiation going on at this time,” Manchin said.
As Politico reported, “Democrats had hoped the year-end expiration of the expanded child tax credit might cajole Manchin into a deal. But his concerns are far broader and would require a significant rewrite of the legislation, extending to the bill’s short-term programs and longer-term financing.”
