National Review
McConnell warns Democrats of the ‘Scorched Earth Senate’ if the obstruction is removed
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) Threatened to use “all” available rules to advance conservative policies if Democrats decided to remove the obstruction, allowing the legislation to pass a simple majority instead of 60 votes of limit obstruction proof. With some Democrats asking moderates Joe Manchin (D., W. Va.) And Kyrsten Sinema (D., Arizona) to abandon their support for the obstruction, McConnell warned in a speech that such a move could “break” the Senate. “Let me say this very clearly to all 99 of my colleagues: no one serving in this Chamber can even begin to imagine what a completely scorched earth Senate would be like,” said McConnell. If the Senate is restructured to require simple majorities to pass all legislation, McConnell warned that Republicans would use this policy to their advantage if they regained the majority in the House. “Once the Republicans were back in the saddle, we would not simply erase all the liberal changes that are hurting the country – we would strengthen the United States with all kinds of conservative policies with no contribution on the other side,” said McConnell. The minority leader indicated that a Republican-majority Senate would pass national right to work legislation, empty planned Paternity and sanctuary cities “on the first day”, allow hidden transport in all 50 states and more. The Senate is currently tied at 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, and Manchin and Sinema’s refusal to remove the obstruction has left Democrats unable to make that change. Sinema’s spokesman said in January that she is “against removing the obstruction and is not willing to change her mind”, while Manchin indicated that he would be open to some reform without completely eliminating the procedure. The progressive wing of the Democratic bench has pressed in recent weeks for a limited reform of the obstruction rule that would allow it to be lifted when the Senate is voting on legislation that would expand voting rights.