Manchin Says He’s ‘Open’ To Lowering Filibuster Threshold To 55 Votes

[mystery-ak]

Jun 16, 2021,03:20pm EDT|4,442 views
Manchin Says He’s ‘Open’ To Lowering Filibuster Threshold To 55 Votes

Andrew Solender Forbes Staff

Updated Jun 16, 2021, 04:12pm EDT

Topline

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) expressed openness to a major reform to the Senate filibuster in a private call with donors to a group that promotes bipartisan cooperation in Congress on Monday, according to leaked audio published by The Intercept.

Key Facts

Manchin reiterated that he’s “committed” to the filibuster, which requires most bills to get 60 Senate votes to pass, but said “one of many good suggestions” for reforming it is to lower the requirement to 55 votes, adding that he’s “open” to looking at it.

Manchin noted that he has advocated for softer reforms like requiring senators to be physically present on the Senate floor to filibuster, stating that he has currently “planted his flag” at 60 votes.

Manchin also urged the donors to lobby Senate Republicans who voted last month to filibuster an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to flip in order to disarm the “far-left” of an argument against the filibuster.

Manchin pointed to four Republicans who he thinks could flip and help get the commission to 60 votes: Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), noting Blunt is retiring and some of the donors might work with him “in his next life.”

Asked about the audio, Manchin replied “what? what are you talking about?” telling Forbes you “can’t trust” The Intercept – but, pressed further, he said the four senators are “always very receptive because they are good to work with.”

Blunt told Forbes he has been “pretty clear” that the commission would obstruct ongoing probes and “would not expect” to change his vote, while Daines flatly responded “no” when asked about Manchin’s assessment.

Forbes has reached out to Manchin’s office for further comment.

more
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/06/16/manchin-says-hes-open-to-lowering-filibuster-threshold-to-55-votes/?sh=1a8a16e3d5e2

[mountaineer]

El foldo. Someone promised Mojo some goodies. You could buy him off with a case of liquor.

[Sled Dog]

So what the Rodents are relying on is Mittens and Lisa and Collins and a few other traitors, instead.

So.

When the GOP takes back the Senate and votes to nuke the filibuster entirely, the Rodents have nobody to blame but themselves, and what the Rodents should do, of course, is vote at the end of their rump session after they've lost the majority again, is to change the rules to raise the filibuster to 70 votes, and watch the heads explode and demonstrate to the public just how pointless these traditions have become.

Manchin voting to CHANGE the filibuster is just as vile as Manchin voting to eliminate it.  Everyone can see the game here.

[skeeter]

What a POS this flake is.

[dfwgator]

Live girl or dead boy?

[mountaineer]

Biden appointed Manchin's drunky wife to the Appalachian Regional Commission. Once that happened, I knew it was just a matter of time before Joe could stop pretending to be independent. It was all an act, and he was doing it with administration permission.

[Hoodat]

Live girl or dead boy?

Or sister, first cousin, or farm animal.

[skeeter]

Live girl or dead boy?

Up to 30 pieces of silver.

[bilo]

So what the Rodents are relying on is Mittens and Lisa and Collins and a few other traitors, instead.

So.

When the GOP takes back the Senate and votes to nuke the filibuster entirely, the Rodents have nobody to blame but themselves, and what the Rodents should do, of course, is vote at the end of their rump session after they've lost the majority again, is to change the rules to raise the filibuster to 70 votes, and watch the heads explode and demonstrate to the public just how pointless these traditions have become.

Manchin voting to CHANGE the filibuster is just as vile as Manchin voting to eliminate it.  Everyone can see the game here.

Great point. The Senate will be no different than the House, as majorities change radical change will follow. The divide in the country will become more pronounced and desire for separation will grow.

The founders had it right when they wanted Senators to be selected by their respective State legislatures not by a direct vote so that they would not be loyal to a particular party, but rather to their State.

The country is heading to a breakup and we should recognize it. Texas intervening along with Florida to secure their border is just one example of how bad things have become.

[Cyber Liberty]

I'll bet a hunnert dollars slimey Sinema would go for this too.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Let's not forget that Manchin is the creature who keeps Schumer as leader in the Senate.

We fully know where his allegiance lies.

And it is not his constituents