Filibuster reform: Biden says he supports the Senate’s talk-filibuster rule

Filibuster reform: Biden says he supports the Senate’s talk-filibuster rule

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“I do not think you should eliminate the filibuster, you should do it as it was when I first came to the Senate in the old days,” George Stephanopoulos told ABC News. ‘You had to get up and command the floor; you had to keep talking. ‘

‘So you’re in favor of reform? Do you want to bring back the filibuster? ‘ Ask Stephanopoulos.

“I am. That’s what it should be,” Biden replied.

He added: “This comes to the point where democracy works hard.”

This is the first time the president has voiced support for any changes to the Senate filibuster rule, which requires 60 senators to vote to end the debate on a bill. The measure is intended to ensure dual support for legislation, but often serves as an obstacle to popular bills that cannot get enough votes from the minority party. The rule can be changed by a simple majority vote, and the filibuster has already been addressed over judicial appointments.

Although the filibuster rule would still require 60 votes to end the debate on a bill, it would stop all matters on the Senate floor until the filibuster was ended. Under current Senate rules, other bills can be considered and voted on, while illustrating a more controversial bill.

In his interview with Stephanopoulos, Biden also told migrants not to come to the US as a crisis unfolds on the southwestern border of the country – with thousands of unaccompanied children now in federal custody – and said the government of New York, Andrew Cuomo, must resign if investigations into allegations of sexual harassment prove true.

The president’s comments on the filibuster come after the White House repeatedly insisted he did not want to end the filibuster.

“His preference is not to end the filibuster. He wants to work with Republicans, with independents,” White House director Kate Bedingfield told CNN’s Jake Tapper earlier this month about “State of the Union.” “He believes we are stronger if we build a broad coalition of support.”
Some Democrats are urging to end the 60-vote threshold on the legislative filibuster to move legislation through the now-divided chamber. The change could have a major impact on Biden’s legislative agenda in a 50-50 Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to cast the equalizing vote in favor of Democrats.

If the Democrats were to change the Senate government, a united caucus would be required.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia opened the door to the weakening of the filibuster for the first time earlier this month, but he still prefers to uphold the 60-vote requirement, people previously familiar with CNN said.

Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday issued a stern warning about how Republicans would bring the House to a standstill if Democrats changed the rules of the filibuster. He said it would lead to a ‘completely scorched earth Senate’.

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