WASHINGTON – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was ready to proceed with a power-sharing agreement after two Democratic senators said they would not support ending the legislative filibuster, a key issue for the IDP in the conversations.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Kentucky Republican said his concern about the filibuster regime, which needs 60 votes for most legislation, is fueled by comments from the Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin confirm their opposition to eliminating it. Their statements earlier in the day indicated that the Democrats did not have the necessary votes to kill the filibuster unilaterally, as it would require 50 of them, plus Vice President Kamala Harris, to vote as a bloc.
President Biden, who has served 36 years in the Senate, said during his presidential campaign that he prefers to preserve the filibuster unless the GOP opposition to its legislative agenda makes it necessary. Jen Psaki, press secretary of the White House, asked on Friday whether Mr. Biden is still opposed to eliminating the filibuster, saying: “The president’s position has not changed.”
The Democratic senators “agree with President Biden and my view that no Senate majority should destroy the right of future minorities of both parties to help form legislation,” he said. McConnell said in a statement Monday night. In his statement, he pointed to a 2001 agreement – the last time there was a 50-50 Senate – as a model for 2021.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., NY) previously adopted the approach, giving parties equal seats on committees and pushing nominees and bills to the floor, even if it was a committee -voice equal.