Biden says he supports the return to ‘talking filibuster’

President BidenJoe Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Split screen: Biden sells stimulus; GOP emphasizes border RNC to overshadow Biden while promoting COVID-19 bill. Dems’ momentum hits swamp over infrastructure plans MORE said Tuesday for the first time that he supports the amendment of the Senate Filibuster’s rules to bring back the so-called “talking filibuster,” a notable move after the White House insisted he chose not to make changes.

Praying during an interview with ABC News anchor George StephanopoulosGeorge Robert Stephanopoulos The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden must take the road, COVID-19 relief law Biden sits down for ABC News interview, while COVID-19 relief relief tour begins Treasury Secretary says economy can next week ‘almost full time job’ have years MORE said he endorsed the filibuster reform by returning to the tradition of filibusters speaking – when senators need to be on the floor to block bills – because ‘democracy works hard.’

“You had to get up and command the floor and you had to keep talking,” Biden said. “After you stopped talking, you lost it and someone could pull in and say, ‘I’m going to ask.’

“You have to work for the filibuster,” Biden said. “It is almost reaching the point where democracy is difficult to function.”

Biden noted that he does not think the Senate should get rid of the filibuster. Nevertheless, his remarks on Tuesday will be well received by party members, who are campaigning for reform and the momentum behind such a change will increase.

White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiDems’ momentum hits swamp over infrastructure plans Big battle threatens over tax increase Sister of North Korean leader responds to White House with vague warning MORE told reporters earlier Tuesday that Biden “preferred” not to affix the filibuster, but that she did not rule it out.

“He can also hear ideas. And the discussions will take place in Congress. This is, of course, a Senate rule. “This is not a law he would change or sign,” Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Democrats need 60 votes to cut off the debate on most legislation in the Senate, meaning the filibuster is a major obstacle for Biden to reach his legislative agenda, given the composition of the upper house from 50 to 50.

Democrats used the special budget reconciliation process to pass Biden’s $ 1.9 billion coronavirus relief bill without Republican support earlier this month.

Sen. Dick DurbinDick Durbin No. 2 Senate Democrats torch filibuster Oregon senator takes center stage Democratic filibuster debate GOP goes on to attack Biden aid bill MORE (Ill.), The Senate Democrat no. 2, the filibuster sharply reprimanded Monday, arguing like Biden that it harms democracy.

‘The filibuster still makes a mockery of American democracy. The filibuster is still being abused by some senators to push for legislation that is urgently needed and supported by a strong majority of the American people, ‘Durbin said in a speech.

Biden’s remarks to ABC come on the same day as the Senate’s minority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Conservative group snatches Toomey as ‘RINO’, underlining GOP’s move Overnight Defense: Capitol Police plan to scale down fence | Flap over Tucker Carlson’s remarks on women in the military continue US efforts to resume North Korean negotiations Xinjiang forced labor complex increases – President Biden needs to work with Congress to curb it MORE (R-Ky.) Warned Democrats against amending the filibuster rules.

“Let me make it very clear to all 99 of my colleagues: No one who serves in this House can even begin, can even begin, to think of a Senate that is completely scorched,” McConnell said on the Senate floor . “I want our colleagues to imagine a world where every task, every one of them, requires a physical quorum.”

Sens. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinDems’ momentum hits the swamp over infrastructure plans Conservative group snatches Toomey as’ RINO ‘, highlighting GOP move Biden plans first major tax hike in almost thirty years: reports MORE (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten Cinema Lawyers warn of funding risk if 144 cities are reclassified as ‘micropolitan areas’ McConnell offers scorching ‘scorched earth’ filibuster warns Oregon senator takes center stage of democratic filibuster debate MORE (D-Ariz.) Does not support the filibuster being eliminated altogether, which means Democrats do not have the votes for it. However, Manchin has previously suggested that he may be open again to return to the conversation filibuster.