Schumer Suffers Crushing Defeat on Filibuster, as Manchin and Sinema Stand Firm – Opinion

I’m not sure what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) thought he was going to get by pushing a vote on the Democratic effort to federalize elections (which they call ‘voting rights’) and on the filibuster.

Schumer knew that he was likely to get a “no” on the filibuster from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). They’ve only been holding fast on the subject for months. Both also were very firm on the subject in speeches — Sinema earlier in the week and Manchin earlier on Wednesday. It wasn’t happening, they said.

Schumer nevertheless decided to make an electoral suicide and got the victory tonight.

Here’s the vote.

U.S. Senate FAILS To Change Filibuster Rules 52-48

The 60-vote threshold is still intact. pic.twitter.com/mMB3pzLqZ9

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 20, 2022

Breaking: Senate Republicans and Democratic Senators are now blocking changes to the filibuster rules for Democrats’ voting rights. Manchin and Sinema have blocked the amendment to filibuster rules that would allow Democrats to vote rights and an election package.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 20, 2022

Sinema, Manchin, and Sinema voted in favor of the Republicans for the continuation filibuster.

These are just a few of the reactions that the news has elicited from politicians.

MCCONNELL, The Senate will be saved tonight. America will feel a sigh of relief. It will be stopped. This is a great day for America. pic.twitter.com/qturUUXfs6

— Suzanne Youngblood Lane (@SuzYoungblood) January 20, 2022

Schumer doesn’t seem to get that he just lost, and that’s it.

Voting rights are not subject to inaction.

These bills to protect your right of vote were blocked by Republicans

We’re going to vote on changing Senate rules for these bills

We need the Senate to vote in our favor

It is up to the Senate to defend and protect voting rights

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 20, 2022

Joe Biden also lived in fantasy land.

The Senate’s failure to protect democracy is shocking. I am disappointed — but I am not deterred.

We will keep pushing for procedural changes in the Senate that protects your fundamental right to vote and will push for legislation to be passed.

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 20, 2022

Bernie Sanders, I-VT (perhaps the most vehement) was perhaps the furiousest. This is lunacy parade. Sanders said, “We can’t get our principles.” Even though everyone has the right to vote and the Democrats’ bills aren’t about that at all.

.@BernieSanders– “I understand Republicans. But.” […]It is confusing to me why Democrats seem to understand the significance of the Freedom to Vote Act. […]They aren’t willing to modify the rules in order for the bill to become law.” https://t.co/zZ7SS0QMD5 pic.twitter.com/OR7ACoQx6L

— The Hill (@thehill) January 20, 2022

It’s a very good day when this kind of mania doesn’t prevail, and sanity prevails. Democrats don’t even get how this will help them because they are going to lose the Senate and be in the minority after the November election. You will then see them flip again, discussing the importance of the filibuster.