Former Senator Joe Lieberman believes the elimination of the legislative filibuster, a move that some Congress Democrats support, will ultimately ‘not be good for our country’. The former senator, who was Al Gore’s running mate in 2000, said Democrats should avoid the “strong temptation” to take the step.
“In the Senate, the requirement of 60 votes is an important incentive for people from both parties to come together to get something done, because very rarely does one party have 60 votes,” Lieberman said in an interview with the Washington correspondent. , CBS News, said. Major Garrett for this week’s episode of the podcast “The Takeout”.
Highlights from this week’s episode:
- Former Senator Joe Lieberman on the importance of the filibuster: “In the Senate, the requirement of 60 votes is an important incentive for people from both parties to come together to get something done, because one party very rarely has 60 votes.”
- Provision in Biden’s coronavirus relief bill to increase minimum wage: I think if you go through something so controversial, the rest of the two years will create a problem and it will make it harder for Congress and President Biden to do a lot of things that really need to be done. ‘
- Constitutionality of accusation against former President Trump: “I think the House was right to accuse President Trump and I think it’s right for the Senate to hold a trial.”
- Mensur resolution against mr. Trump: “I think the trial should take place, and if there are not enough votes for conviction when it’s over, I should think there should be a dual declaration of no confidence in President Trump for his conduct regarding the election.”
Democrats currently have a 50-seat majority in the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting a vote-breaking vote. If the Democrats eliminated the filibuster, it would allow legislation to proceed with a simple majority of 51 votes instead of reaching a 60-vote threshold, meaning Democrats can pass legislation without any Republican support . However, at least two Democrats – Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – have voiced their opposition to ending the filibuster.
“I am glad that it appears that the Senate will now not vote to end the filibuster. I think President Biden and the members of the Senate really need to have that pressure to make compromises, to get to the center to get things done, “Lieberman said. Lieberman, who served with President Biden in the Senate for two decades, argued that the president is “basically a center-left Democrat” who will be able to negotiate with Republicans.
He also warned against using the budget reconciliation process to overturn Mr. Bid to process $ 1.9 billion coronavirus. With the help of budget reconciliation, the Senate can advance budget-related legislation by a simple majority, as opposed to 60 votes.
“Reconciliation can be used too much,” Lieberman said. “It’s not really a way to go if you can avoid it.”
And he will oppose breaking the budget conciliation rules against the proposal, which includes a provision that raises the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour.
“I would not increase the minimum wage,” Lieberman said. ‘I think if you go through something controversial like that, the rest of the two years will create a problem and it will make it harder for Congress and President Biden to get a lot of things done. “
Lieberman also discussed the upcoming indictment against former President Trump. Although Mr. Trump is no longer in office, Lieberman agrees that a trial should be held to convict Mr. To hold Trump accountable.
“I think the House was right to accuse President Trump and I think it’s right for the Senate to hold a trial,” Lieberman said. He added that he supported the idea of a no-confidence motion against Mr. To adopt Trump as a ‘dual, unifying statement against his behavior’.
“I think the trial should take place, and if there are not enough votes for conviction when it’s over, I should think there should be a dual statement of distrust of President Trump for his conduct regarding the election,” he said. Lieberman said. .
For more on Major’s conversation with Lieberman, download the podcast “The Takeout” on Art19, iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify and Stitcher. New episodes are available every Friday morning. You can also watch “The Takeout” on CBSN Friday at 5pm, 9pm and 12pm ET and Saturday at 1pm, 9pm and 12pm ET. Visit www.takeoutpodcast.com for a complete archive of ‘The Takeout’ episodes. And you can listen to “The Takeout” on select CBS News affiliate groups (check out your local list).
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