Even After SCOTUS Leak, Manchin and Sinema Stand Firm on Filibuster – Opinion

The filibuster will likely continue for now with Senators Joe Manchin, D-WV and Kyrsten Silena (D.AZ) stating that they don’t plan to vote against ending this practice. The country is currently mired in controversy about the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe V Wade.

Without Manchin’s and Sinema’s votes, Democrats have no chance to nuke the filibuster. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Manchin said, “The filibuster is a protection of democracy.” And Sinema tweeted:

Statement about the draft Supreme Court Opinion pic.twitter.com/3GYIF3YnM7

— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) May 3, 2022

When Sinema refers to “protections in the Senate safeguarding against the erosion of women’s access to health care,” she’s referring to the filibuster. This pair of leftists isn’t happy.

BREAKING: Joe Manchin says that the “filibuster is a protection of democracy,” signaling that he will refuse to repeal it to pass legislation codifying Roe even in the face of a Republican onslaught on abortion rights. RT IF YOU FEEL THAT MANCHIN SHOULD BE PRIMARIED

— Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) May 3, 2022

Filibuster refers to the Senate rule that, when invoked, requires 60 votes or more in order for legislation to be passed. Explains History.com

A filibuster is a political strategy in which a senator speaks—or threatens to speak—for hours on end to delay efforts to vote for a bill. This unusual strategy takes advantage of an American Senate rule which states that a senator can speak on any issue once they are recognized. While various rule changes have tempered the filibuster’s power over the past century, it still offers unique leverage to the minority political party in the Senate.

The filibuster has been under constant attack in recent years by the “Squad,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, and others–attacks that only intensified after the SCOTUS leak:

Roe being overturned would mean that women all across America’s lives are at stake. The overwhelming majority of people would support it, as well as decades of precedent. Then again, they won’t let up.

The court should be expanded. https://t.co/EDktEETxvb

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 3, 2022

The filibuster has been integral to Republicans’ strategy in recent years, and even the threat of it helped derail the $1.9 trillion Build Back Better bill. It’s also stood in the way of the Left’s urgent desire to pack the courts, something they would probably immediately aim for should the filibuster be abolished.

The Court should be expanded.

This is how women’s lives depend across the country.

— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) May 3, 2022

Since 1887, the filibuster is a law that has stopped hyper-partisans in both political parties from trying to force extreme legislation onto American citizens. James Stewart’s appearance in the film of 1939 cemented its place in pop culture. Washington is the next stop for Mr. SmithStewart is a young senator with idealistic views who speaks for almost 24 hours to postpone a vote on corrupt public works bills.

If Chuck Schumer and others succeed in getting it canned, they can overcome the 50–50 party split in the Senate and pass almost anything they want (with the help of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote). If that happens, expect court-packing, trillion-dollar spending bills, maybe more “Disinformation” Boards—who knows what would be on the table.

Manchin, Sinema and others have ensured that the filibuster is safe. This means we all can rest a bit easier.