Moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) suggested on Sunday that Democrats in the Senate should not make a habit of passing legislation without any Republican support — as they did when they approved President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package — and he will continue to support keeping the filibuster in place.
Why it matters: Many of the Senate Democrats' top priorities, like an expansive election and anti-corruption bill which passed the House on March 4, will need 60 votes to pass with the filibuster in place.
- Manchin also urged using reconciliation as a last resort. Reconciliation is not subject to attempted delay via filibuster and can be used to quickly push through bills that affect the federal budget or debt, like the COVID relief bill.
What he's saying: "Can you imagine not having to sit down, where there's no reason for you to sit down with your colleagues on both sides and have their input?"
- "And now if you want to make it a little bit more painful, make him stand there and talk, I'm willing to look at any way we can. But I'm not willing to take away the involvement of the minority."
- “I'm not going to change my mind on the filibuster. I’ll change my mind if we need to go to a reconciliation, to where we have to get something done … But I'm not going to go there until my Republican friends have the ability to have their say also."
- "There's no need for us to go to reconciliation until the other process has failed. That means the normal process of a committee, a hearing, amendments, Chuck. And that's where I am," Manchin said.
On Fox News Sunday, Manchin added: "I'd make it harder to get rid of the filibuster. I'm supporting the filibuster ... but it should be painful if you want to use it."