Vice President Kamala Harris recently expressed support for dismantling the Senate’s legislative filibuster to enshrine Roe v. Wade protections into federal law.
Fox News reported that amidst internal party debates and electoral pressures, several Senate Democrats facing tight races are joining Harris in advocating for filibuster changes.
Vice President Harris, aligning with several Democrat senators who are at risk in the upcoming elections, supported the removal of the legislative filibuster specifically to codify the precedents of Roe v. Wade into federal law.
This controversial stance has sparked debates within the Senate and has been met with opposition from key figures, including Senator Joe Manchin.
The legislative filibuster is a Senate rule requiring a 60-vote majority to end debate on most topics and move forward to a vote. This rule has historically been a tool for minority parties to delay or block legislation.
Last year, Senators Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Tammy Baldwin, and Jacky Rosen, all Democrats, voted to allow a bill that would loosen federal voting requirements to pass by a simple majority instead of the traditional 60 votes.
However, not all members of their party agree. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, both of whom have recently become independents, have expressed their opposition to changing these rules.
Some Democrats have proposed a compromise with the "talking filibuster," which would allow a filibuster to be ended by a simple majority vote once the floor debate has concluded.
Public opinion on the filibuster remains divided. Surveys indicate that the electorate is split, with significant portions both supporting and opposing the elimination of the filibuster, and many remain undecided.
Senator Harris and others believe that the filibuster poses a barrier to protective legislation such as guaranteeing abortion rights, which are deemed crucial by many in her party.
During an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris stated, "I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe," which ignited further discussion among her peers and the public.
In response, Senator Joe Manchin openly declared on Fox News, "I'm not endorsing her," indicating his strong disagreement with Harris’s stance.
Senator Sherrod Brown had previously voiced a similar sentiment, telling reporters in 2020, "We’ve got to eliminate the filibuster," underscoring the ongoing internal debates within the party.
In 2021, Senator Jacky Rosen commented on the necessity of suspending filibuster rules to protect democracy, which reflects a growing sentiment among some Democrats that drastic measures are needed to uphold democratic values.
Senator Bob Casey also aligned with this view, stating, "If the choice comes down to the filibuster or democracy, I know which side I'm on," during a public statement in 2021.
Senator Jon Tester’s push for a talking filibuster was made clear when he declared to Fox News Digital, "Talking filibuster, that's what I want, period."
Despite the push from many in their party, Senators Manchin and Sinema have held firm on their stance.
Manchin reiterated his commitment to the traditional filibuster, emphasizing the 60-vote threshold as a necessary standard to ensure bipartisan cooperation.
Senator Tammy Baldwin also supported the Vice President's call to reevaluate the filibuster, particularly in light of the recent support for the talking filibuster, highlighting the nuanced positions within the party.
As debates continue, the issue of the filibuster remains a central topic in U.S. politics, reflecting broader tensions over how democracy should function and how protective legislation should be enacted.
