Progressives ramp up pressure on Schumer to nix filibuster
By Jordain Carney - 06/03/21 09:51 AM EDT
A coalition of progressive groups are upping the pressure on Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to nix the 60-vote legislative filibuster after Republicans were able to successfully block a bill using the procedure for the first time this year.
More than 100 groups sent a letter on Thursday to Schumer arguing that in the wake of GOP senators blocking a bill to create a commission to probe the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, "it is clearer than ever that the filibuster needs to be eliminated."
"We call on you and the Senate Democratic caucus to eliminate the filibuster as a weapon that Sen. McConnell can use to block efforts to defend and strengthen our democracy and make our government work for the American people," the groups added in the letter, which was spearheaded by Fix Our Senate.
The letter, which was first reported by NBC News, cites frustration from Democrats — including directly quoting Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who is opposed to changing the Senate's rules — over the GOP filibuster of the commission legislation, as well as pointing to a looming filibuster fight over voting rules.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/556643-progressives-ramp-up-pressure-on-schumer-to-nix-filibuster
