Just this once, Senate Democrats assure the American public, they will attempt to suspend the use of the filibuster in hopes of passing legislation aimed at dismantling new state voting integrity laws. There is nothing sincere about such an assurance, of course. The only circumstances under which this Machiavellian majority would not vote to once again suspend the filibuster is if Republicans regained the majority and the filibuster becomes useful in thwarting their agenda once more.
Fortunately, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is signaling that he has enough courage to say “no” to his own party by refusing to indulge in sleaze. “I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster,” Manchin wrote to home-state voters in The Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Democrats savagely attacked Manchin for these comments, with Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) tweeting, “Join us in saving lives or get out of our way.” Manchin has already faced pressure from party leadership to get rid of the filibuster, including criticism from President Biden. Many now argue Manchin should temporarily weaken the filibuster to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a piece of legislation the senator has already endorsed.
Manchin Must Withstand Democrat Pressure on Filibuster
Just this once, Senate Democrats assure the American public, they will attempt to suspend the use of the filibuster in hopes of passing legislation aimed at dismantling new state voting integrity laws. There is nothing sincere about such an assurance, of course. The only circumstances under which this Machiavellian majority would not vote to once again suspend the filibuster is if Republicans regained the majority and the filibuster becomes useful in thwarting their agenda once more.
Fortunately, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is signaling that he has enough courage to say “no” to his own party by refusing to indulge in sleaze. “I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster,” Manchin wrote to home-state voters in The Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Democrats savagely attacked Manchin for these comments, with Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) tweeting, “Join us in saving lives or get out of our way.” Manchin has already faced pressure from party leadership to get rid of the filibuster, including criticism from President Biden. Many now argue Manchin should temporarily weaken the filibuster to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a piece of legislation the senator has already endorsed.