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