Former Senator Joe Lieberman believes that removing legislative obstruction, a move that some Democrats in Congress ultimately support, “will not be good for our country.” The former senator, who was Al Gore’s running mate in 2000, said Democrats should avoid the “strong temptation” to take that step.
“In the Senate, the requirement of 60 votes is actually a great incentive for people from both parties to come together to do something, because very rarely does a party have 60 votes,” Lieberman said in an interview with the CBS News chief correspondent in Washington Major Garrett for this week’s episode of the podcast “The Takeout”.
This week’s episode highlights:
- Former Senator Joe Lieberman on the importance of obstruction: “In the Senate, the requirement of 60 votes is actually a great incentive for people from both parties to come together to do something, because very rarely does a party have 60 votes.”
- Provision in the Biden coronavirus relief bill to increase the minimum wage: I think if you go through something controversial like that, it will create a problem for the rest of the two years and make it more difficult for Congress and President Biden to do many of the things that really need to be done. “
- Constitutionality of holding impeachment trial for former President Trump: “I think the House was right to accuse President Trump and I think it is right for the Senate to hold a trial.”
- Censorship resolution against Mr. Trump: “I think the trial should be carried out, and if there are not enough votes for the conviction when it is over, then I think there should be a bipartisan statement of censure to President Trump for his behavior towards the election.”
Democrats currently have a 50-seat majority in the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaker. If Democrats removed the obstruction, it would allow the legislation to move forward with a simple majority of 51 votes instead of reaching the 60 vote limit, meaning that Democrats could pass the legislation without any Republican support. However, at least two Democrats – Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – have expressed opposition to ending the obstruction.
“I am happy that it seems that the Senate will not vote now to end the obstruction. I think President Biden and the members of the Senate really should have that pressure to come to an agreement, to come to the center to do some things.” Lieberman said. Lieberman, who served with President Biden in the Senate for two decades, argued that the president is “basically a center-left Democrat” who will be able to negotiate with Republicans.
He also warned against using the budget reconciliation process to approve Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. Using budget reconciliation allows the Senate to advance budget-related legislation with a simple majority, instead of 60 votes.
“Reconciliation can be overblown,” said Lieberman. “This is not really a way to go if you can avoid it.”
And he opposes breaking the budget reconciliation rules to approve the proposal, which includes a clause that raises the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour.
“I would not prevent an increase in the minimum wage,” said Lieberman. “I think if you go through something controversial like that, it will create a problem for the rest of the two years and make it more difficult for Congress and President Biden to do many of the things that really need to be done. “
Lieberman also discussed the impeachment trial against former President Trump. Even though Trump is no longer in office, Lieberman agreed that a trial must be held to hold Mr. Trump accountable.
“I think the House was right in impeaching President Trump and I think it is right for the Senate to hold a trial,” said Lieberman. He added that he supports the idea of passing a censorship resolution against Trump as a “bipartisan and unifying statement against his behavior”.
“I think the trial should be carried out, and if there are not enough votes for the conviction when it is over, I think there should be a bipartisan statement of censure to President Trump for his behavior towards the election,” said Lieberman.
To learn more about Major’s conversation with Lieberman, download the podcast “The Takeout” on Art19, iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify and Stitcher. New episodes are available every Friday morning. In addition, you can watch “The Takeout” on CBSN Friday at 5 pm, 9 pm and 12 pm ET and Saturday at 1 pm, 9 pm and 12 pm ET. For a complete archive of “The Takeout” episodes, visit www.takeoutpodcast.com. And you can hear “The Takeout” on selected affiliates on CBS News Radio (check your local listings).
Producers: Arden Farhi, Jamie Benson, Sara Cook and Eleanor Watson
CBSN Production: Eric Soussanin, Julia Boccagno and Grace Segers
Show email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TakeoutPodcast
Instagram: @TakeoutPodcast
Facebook: Facebook.com/TakeoutPodcast