Supporters of the 60-vote legislative obstruction ban are facing major obstacles in the Senate, even when President biden
Joe BidenBiden and Congress must take bold steps to avoid violent extremism The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces the Republican Party’s immigration and obstruction offensive. Democrats defend border crisis MORE enters the fray asking for reforms.
Progressives see Biden’s comments endorsing a return to the “talking cheater” as a major victory after mounting pressure for months, despite the president’s reluctance to support his ultimate goal of removing the procedural block altogether.
In the Senate, which will decide the fate of the obstruction, Democrats recognize that they are far from being able to change the rules, meaning that they will still need the support of the Republican Party to pass most of the legislation.
“No, I think this is a process. And there are those who doubt any change in the rules ”, sen. Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin’s Morning ReportThe Hill – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces Republican Party immigration and obstruction offensive Democrats defend border crisis Tensions rise due to Senate obstruction MORE (D-Ill.) He said whether Senate Democrats have votes to change the rules.
Sen. Brian Schatz
Brian Emanuel SchatzSenate approaches the COVID-19 vote after the minimum wage kickback revives calls to Senate obstructionist nix little-known Senate referee to play an important role in Biden’s relief plan MORE (D-Hawaii), saying that he thought Biden was right to support the speaking obstruction, added: “How it affects what the Senate will do, I think, remains very uncertain.”
“I don’t think that everything will be resolved around just one or two members. This has to be a family discussion … within the caucus and then a family discussion within the Senate, insofar as this is still possible, “said Schatz.
To invoke the “nuclear option” to reform or get rid of legislative obstruction, all 50 Democratic senators would have to endorse the effort.
This puts the spotlight on Sens. Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten SinemaMcConnell: Schumer ‘yielding to extreme left pressure’ in obstruction The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces immigration and Republican Party obstruction offensive Tensions increase Senate obstruction MORE (D-Ariz.) E Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin’s Morning Report The Hill – Presented by Facebook – Biden Faces Republican Party Immigration and Obstruction Offensive Tensions Rise Over Senate Obstruction Biden Says He Supports Returning to ‘Talking Obstruction’ MORE (DW.Va.), who both expressed opposition to removing the obstruction.
Manchin called Biden’s comments on Tuesday night “encouraging”, but from a different perspective than progressives.
“The president understands the importance of preserving the obstruction,” said Manchin.
“I am still 60 years old. … I haven’t changed, ”said Manchin.
The moderate Democrat also overturned the creation of a carveout for specific issues: “No, no, no. It’s like being a little pregnant. “
In addition to Manchin and Sinema, there is a broader concern within the Democratic caucus about making changes to the 60-vote requirement, let alone getting rid of it entirely as progressives prefer.
“Several senators have expressed concern,” said Durbin.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Emiel Feinstein Morning report from The Hill – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces Republican Party immigration and obstruction offensive Six women who could be the next California senator Feinstein says he intends to fulfill the mandate MORE (D-Calif.) He signaled concerns about lowering the 60-vote limit, just so that Republicans would adopt conservative priorities when they returned to the majority.
“I would say that I am undecided,” said Feinstein, adding that the impact on a future majority of the Republican Party “is a factor, one of the reasons why I am hesitant.”
Sen. Chris Coons
Chris Andrew CoonsDems’ momentum hits the swamp over infrastructure plans Oregon Senator takes center stage in the Democratic obstruction debate This week: Democrats eyeing the next step after the coronavirus relief bill wins MORE (D-Del.), A close ally of Biden, said he was not yet ready to get rid of the obstruction.
“I’m not there yet,” Coons said. “I am listening to proposals from colleagues.”
Sen. Jon Tester
Jonathan (Jon) TesterDemocratic senators urge the CDC to boost the accessibility of vaccine programming for the elderly Oregon Senator takes center stage in the Democratic obstructionist debate Democrats are close to the pressure point on preventing obstruction MORE (D-Mont.) He endorsed the idea of a speaking obstructionist, but suggested that 60 votes would still be needed in the end to pass the legislation.
“People who want to stop a bill need to be in love with it … for as long as it is,” said Tester. “I think it would reduce the number of obstructions.”
Biden shook the debate over the Senate obstruction when he told ABC News during an interview that aired Tuesday night that he supported the reversal to a “talking obstruction”.
“You had to get up and take the floor and keep talking,” said Biden, who spent decades in the Senate. “Once you stopped talking, you missed it and someone could come in and say, ‘I move on to the question of.'”
“You have to work for the obstruction,” added Biden. “It’s almost getting to the point where democracy is having a hard time functioning.”
Biden did not provide details on how a speaking obstructionist would do in practice and was not asked about his opinion on maintaining the 60-vote limit for most legislation.
Still, supporters of the obstruction reform saw their comments as a victory. Removing Biden, who seemed cautious about making changes, outside the wall was seen as a crucial step by activists to help build support to ultimately remove the 60-vote limit for most legislation.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Said that Biden was “encouraging us to reform”.
“President Biden’s comments are a major shift in his position, it seems to me, and should encourage reform. … He has given new energy and potential movement in reform efforts, ”said Blumenthal.
Sen. Jeff Merkley
Morning report by Jeff MerkleyThe Hill – Presented by Facebook – Biden to hit the road, tout COVID-19 Oregon senator takes center stage in the Democratic obstructionist debate ENERGY OF THE NIGHT: Graham and Sullivan signal possible support for Haaland’s confirmation | Agency says break in Biden rental will not affect energy production in 2021 | Senate panel unanimously advances Biden’s choice for deputy chief of Energy MORE (D-Ore.), Who was at the center of the caucus’ discussions on the rules, said Biden’s comments were “very much appreciated”.
“The president acknowledged that the United States government cannot do its job if it is paralyzed,” added Merkley.
What exactly a talking obstructionist would imply is unclear. Reverting to practice could require opponents of a bill to stick to the floor, and, once completed, procedural voting would then be determined by a simple majority.
Democrats said another approach would be to create a talking obstruction by forcing opponents to be seen by the public, but still maintaining the requirement of 60 votes.
Senate Democrats stopped predicting exactly what Biden was endorsing, noting that he did not explicitly ask for the 60 vote limit to be raised.
“He’s being vague about it, but it’s okay. I think he was recognizing the fact that the obstruction was institutionalized by Sen. [Mitch] McConnell. We now accept the premise that everything needs 60 votes – so we are an obstructionist Senate. And I think it’s a dramatic departure from the body’s history, ”said Durbin.
Asked if Biden was endorsing the reduction in the number of votes needed, Durbin added: “He didn’t say that. And as a student and creature of the Senate, he certainly knows how to choose his words carefully on the subject ”.
The pressure on obstruction is only expected to increase as the House sends a growing list of top Democratic priorities that don’t have the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, including immigration reform, expanding background checks and voting rights.
Senate Democrats presented a broad bill on ethics and electoral reform on Wednesday, with the majority leader in the Senate Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerBiden: Cuomo must resign if harassment investigation confirms allegations Half of New Yorkers say Cuomo should not resign immediately: Stacey Abrams poll: ‘I don’t think it is necessary to completely eliminate the obstruction’ MORE (DN.Y.) vowing to put it on the floor. He would need 60 votes to pass, but he has no Republican Party co-sponsors. The legislation, known as the People’s Law, is seen by advocates of obstruction reform as a key project that, if blocked, will generate broad calls to prevent obstruction.
Republicans have not obstructed a bill since Biden took office, but McConnell made it clear during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday that they were not afraid to block the legislation they oppose.
Supporters of the change, or rejection, of the obstructionist believe that it will be necessary to watch Republicans block bills that have 50 Democratic votes and broad public support in order to move skeptics among the Senate Democratic bench.
“We have to demonstrate to them how the rules can be used and abused before we proceed,” said Durbin.
Merkley added that Democrats would see the year unfold.
“If McConnell continues his strategy of obstruction and delay,” he said, “then we will work hard to bring everyone together and make the Senate work.”