Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellBiden attends the first religious service as president in DC, stops at local bakery Harry Reid ‘not particularly optimistic’ Biden will push to remove the obstruction Senators argue over the validity of Trump’s impeachment trial MORE (R-Ky.) He indicated on Monday night that power-sharing talks could move forward after two Democrats reiterated that they would not lift the 60-vote legislative obstruction.
“Today, two Democratic senators have publicly confirmed that they will not vote to end legislative obstruction. They agree with President Biden’s view and my view that no majority in the Senate should destroy the future minority rights of both parties to help shape the legislation, “McConnell said in a statement.
“Legislative obstruction was a fundamental part of the foundation of the Senate’s last 50-50 power-sharing agreement in 2001. With these guarantees, I hope to move forward with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent,” added McConnell.
The Republican Party leader’s comments effectively end the days stalemate on how to organize an equally divided 50-50 Senate, where Democrats hold the majority because Vice President Harris can break the tie.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
Fall of the Chuck SchumerCapitol uprising: The PATRIOT Act 2.0? Schumer asks DOJ to investigate Trump’s alleged effort to stave off forgiveness for AG student loan would be an unexpected fortune for dentists, doctors and lawyers (DN.Y.) immediately declared victory.
“We are happy that Senator McConnell threw in the towel and gave up on his ridiculous demand. We are looking forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and starting to do big and bold things for the American people,” said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer.
McConnell’s comments come after Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinBiden officials call a bipartisan group of senators about the coronavirus relief plan Harry Reid ‘not particularly optimistic’ Biden will put pressure to eliminate the obstruction Durbin: Senate should consider changes to obstruction MORE (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) They reiterated on Monday that they oppose the lifting of the 60-vote legislative obstruction.
“I do not support removing the obstruction under any conditions. I am not who I am,” Manchin told reporters.
Sinema’s office also reiterated on Monday that it still does not support the cancellation of the obstruction after the Washington Post incorrectly suggested that it could be open to get rid of the 60 vote barrier.
Sinema is “against removing the obstruction and is not willing to change her mind about removing the obstruction,” a spokesman told the Post.
Their positions are not new, but their statements appear to have reassured Republicans amid growing calls from outside groups and members of the Senate’s Democratic caucus to prevent the 60-vote obstruction.
The power-sharing negotiations have been effectively stalled for days after McConnell said he wanted assurances about the fate of legislative obstruction as part of the agreement with Schumer on the 50-50 Senate organization.
Democrats rejected their demand last week, although they did not indicate how they thought the situation would be resolved.
Democrats do not have votes to override the obstruction, but they also made fun of McConnell when trying to arrest them, despite no longer controlling the chamber.
Schumer, in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow
Rachel Anne MaddowFauci describes the ‘creepy’ pressure on scientists in the Trump era Fauci tells Maddow that he was ‘prevented’ from appearing under Trump’s administration A vaccine, a Burrito and more: 7 lightest and most memorable moments of 2020 MORE, which was recorded before McConnell’s statement, said he thought McConnell “would come to his senses and accept our offer” in a matter of days.
“He won’t get what he wants … This is universal in my caucus,” said Schumer, adding that McConnell’s attitude “really pissed off my entire caucus.”
Updated 21:50