With Democrat Path to Nuclear Option on Filibuster Closed, Senate Leaders Proceed on Power-Sharing AgreementAshley Oliver 25 Jan 2021
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Monday that a power-sharing agreement in the Senate no longer needs to stipulate that the filibuster rule remain intact after two Senate Democrats confirmed they would not support abolishing it.
“I’m glad that two Senate Democrats confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster,†McConnell stated. “They agree with President Biden and me on protecting the Senate. With this win, we can move forward with a 50-50 power-sharing agreement built on the 2001 precedentâ€:
The filibuster, a rule that requires three-fifths of the Senate, or 60 votes, to close debate on major legislation, had become a point of contention as McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) work out a plan to organize the upper chamber, which is tied 50–50 between Republicans and Democrats. The last time the Senate was tied, in 2001, a similar plan was used to distribute authority among the chamber and its committees.
McConnell explained that because two Senate Democrats publicly opposed abolishing the filibuster, which ultimately vanquishes any Democrat hopes of doing away with the rule, and because President Joe Biden continues to also oppose getting rid of it, the two leaders could continue developing their agreement.
“The legislative filibuster was a key part of the foundation beneath the Senate’s last 50-50 power-sharing agreement in 2001,†McConnell said. “With these assurances, I look forward to moving ahead with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent.â€
On Monday, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) both signaled they would not support abolishing the filibuster.
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