And it is more than just Manchin and Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona who are opposed to changing Senate rules so that an obstructionist can be defeated by 51 votes instead of 60: the two New Hampshire Democratic senators are also resisting these calls, in addition to several others who are still not convinced that such a change is necessary.
“No,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, told CNN when asked if she would support removing the 60-vote limit. “I think we should look for ways to reform the obstruction, but I don’t think getting rid of it is the best approach.”
New Hampshire junior Democratic senator Maggie Hassan, who faces a difficult run for reelection next year, also has “concerns about removing the obstruction,” said a spokesman, although she supports some reforms.
Manchin, a West Virginia Democratic conservative, told CNN repeatedly in an interview that “no,” he will not give in to pressure to destroy the 60-vote limit, even if Republicans block a voting right bill. Democrats hoped that a likely obstruction by the Republican Party in their party’s bill to expand access to voting and review the elections would be enough to convince Manchin and others to end the 60-vote limit on obstruction – given the onslaught of efforts led by state-level Republicans to impose new restrictions.
But Manchin made it clear that a Republican blockade of a voting bill will not change his opinion.
“No, no, no, no, no,” said Manchin, who also wants changes to his party’s S.1. Electoral bill, before considering supporting him. “They are reading this totally wrong.”
Manchin added that he will not give up trying to strike deals with Republicans, even though many of his colleagues see little chance that the Republican Party will try to advance Biden’s goals and see it now as the best opportunity to approve the Democrats’ agenda with the prospect. The Republican takeover in mid-2022 was very real.
“I will say this to all my colleagues: when was the last time you had dinner with one of them? … So, don’t start saying to me: ‘Ah, give up’ … If I give up on this, I give up on humanity, “said Manchin.
Democratic leaders are considering dividing the bill into several parts in the House. And if Republicans obstruct these plans in the Senate, they are considering tying everything into a budget package that cannot be obstructed by House rules, a similar process that led to the approval of the Covid plan.
Maintaining democratic unity during this process, however, remains another issue. And the White House will need all 50 Democrats on board to approve such a proposal, assuming the Republicans vote for the opposition.
Removing the obstruction would not alleviate the Dem’s divisions in politics
However, even if the obstruction was destroyed, the challenges of the Biden government would not end there.
Democratic divisions – at times – would be even more apparent without the Democrats’ ability to blame Republicans for getting in their way. With a 50-50 Senate, the Senate majority of majority leader Chuck Schumer would still be a razor and each part of the legislation would require complete unity on the part of the Democratic caucus. And Manchin is not the only one who can be a risk.
“I mean, look, I’m from Montana. I have more than I need and less than I want, but background checks are important,” said Tester. “I believe that. But you can go too far on that ship too quickly, too.”
The testator added, “I am for background checks. There is a warning to pass on within the family and not to require a background check.”
“I would have to see it,” said Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, when asked if he would support the bills passed by the House. “I have always supported comprehensive background checks. We need to make sure it is comprehensive … I will have to look at the details.”
Senator Chris Murphy, a longtime advocate of stricter gun laws, is mapping his party’s strategy along with Schumer and Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut. He says the split with Republicans – who are fighting any restrictions on weapons, even after more mass shootings – is much greater than among Democrats. But Murphy acknowledges that more work needs to be done to unify his caucus behind the House Democrats’ approach.
“Joe and I have a great personal and work relationship, but he is not the only one who is going to have changes in HR 8 that they want to entertain,” said Murphy, referring to Manchin.
Even so, Democratic divisions go beyond arms.
Despite overwhelming support in the House to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, eight Senate Democrats voted against advancing the provision in February.
And during a closed-door meeting with his leadership on Tuesday, Democratic senators did not reach a consensus on how to move forward. Some senators have been pushing for an increase in the minimum wage to just $ 11 an hour, others have expressed concern about demanding a minimum wage of $ 15 for workers who are tipped. Some argued that a regional minimum wage would make more sense, an idea rejected by progressives.
Senator Tom Carper, a Delaware Democrat who voted against raising the minimum wage in February, said he does not object to some changes in the minimum wage, but believes that the economy needs to recover first.
“There were eight of us who were not comfortable,” said Carper. “At the moment, we are in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression and we may want to wait a little later in the year. I want us to be careful not to have unintended consequences.”
At the moment, the obstruction – while slowing the progressive agenda – protects Democratic leaders from having to fight immediately with a caucus that is not always in sync. Without moderates like Manchin, the party would have a hard time maintaining a seat in a state that Biden lost overwhelmingly last year. And with these members, the job of promoting a liberal agenda is more difficult.
“We are a big party in the tent,” said Peters. “We would not be in the majority if Senator Manchin was not in the caucus.”
CNN’s Sarah Fortinsky and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.