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brooklynite

(93,834 posts)
Mon Mar 8, 2021, 11:04 PM Mar 2021

Biden won't embrace filibuster reforms even as the rest of his party does

Source: Politico

President Joe Biden isn’t budging from his desire to keep the filibuster in place; at least not yet. And activists demanding reforms are growing increasingly befuddled by the administration’s hesitance.

With more Senate Democrats expressing a willingness to abolish or modify the legislative filibuster, which establishes a 60-vote threshold to move most bills through the Senate, the White House on Monday continued to deflect on the issue.

“The president’s preference is not to get rid of the filibuster,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday, repeating Biden’s position on maintaining the rule. “His preference is not to make different changes to the rules, to the filibuster rules.”

Psaki’s statement was a reassertion of the White House’s long-standing position. But it came at a semi-critical juncture for the filibuster reform movement. On Sunday, one leading opponent of eliminating the filibuster, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), expressed a willingness to make some changes to the rule, prompting a wave of jubilation among progressives who have pushed for reforms.




Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/08/biden-filibuster-reform-474503



But we can still beat up on Joe Manchin, right?
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Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
4. Separate branch of government.
Mon Mar 8, 2021, 11:11 PM
Mar 2021

Any president's opinion on how the Senate functions is irrelevant.

I get that Biden is a former senator. But ask him when he's not president. Don't go through his press secretary at any rate.

Phoenix61

(16,949 posts)
5. Remember when Pelosi said she didn't want to
Mon Mar 8, 2021, 11:17 PM
Mar 2021

impeach Trump? This is all about creating enough buzz and energy so he can say well, I wasn’t for it but it seems that’s what everyone wants so... ok. The Repubs know that’s what’s happening so they can either get their shit together and start working for this country or we can get rid of the filibuster.

Locutusofborg

(524 posts)
6. I always worry about the long term implications.
Mon Mar 8, 2021, 11:45 PM
Mar 2021

There WILL be a time again when the Republicans are in the majority and the Democrats will have no power to stop taking away a women's right to choose, pro-gun laws, fossil fuel exploration and exploitation...on and on I could go where needing 60 votes is a deterrent to right wing excess.

Sapient Donkey

(1,568 posts)
8. I understand that concern, but I think it's not unreasonable to believe
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 12:31 AM
Mar 2021

that the republicans would take steps to end the filibuster if it suits them. At some point we'll find ourselves in that situation, and they won't hesitate. So, they'd likely pass through their legislation either way. Perhaps our best bet is simply make it so more people want to vote blue because we actually govern for the people and make their lives better.

The republicans would love to make it impossible for democrats to do anything productive that will gain the support of Americans across the board. Imagine a good healthcare plan that wasn't purposefully made less effective by republicans. Even with all the flaws of the ACA, the republicans couldn't totally kill it off because even people who "hated" it actually found it helpful. Could actually get some stuff done that will have staying power. That is, of course, assuming they don't screw it up.

Perhaps I am oversimplifying things, or I don't understand things, but that is how I'm viewing things now. I'm always open to other viewpoints and for constructive criticism on my understanding and conclusions.

LenaBaby61

(6,965 posts)
14. "True. But, if the needed legislation is not passed, we'll get slaughtered in 2022."
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 10:31 AM
Mar 2021

I agree with your sentiment 1,000%

And if we EVER get people back into the presidency and into key leadership positions like those insane, racist, amoral pieces of shit Taylor-Green, Gov. Ron DeathSentence in Florida, Bobert, and a younger, sleeker, faster-talking just as racist, and ignorant tRump, then it's good-bye America. Think about how those folks I mentioned were okay with that rebellion that happened on January 6th, 2021. You got MAGGOTS out there who actually think that IQ45's face is up under Pres. Biden's face, that instead of March 4th being the day when fatso would be sworn in again as president, it's now March 20th, 2021. You have others who think that John John is still returning and that he'll be the GQP leader. Oh, and that fatso is trying to stop child sex-trafficking and that in any day now Hillary, Pres. Obama and Biden will be arrested SOON Folks like the ones I mentioned and who believe in those crazy conspiracy theories are in need of some serious mental help, medicines and to be institutionalized.

There's a reason that Dems were in charge of Congress for 40 years, and it was because of good, down-home legislation that was people-friendly. For workers, for children, the elderly, people of all stripes and hues. Look at the human feces we have in there now with the GQP who don't give a damn about anything except fattening their pockets, and the pockets of IQ45, making it difficult for people to survive, making it more difficult for Dems, the elderly, and minorities to vote, and who don't care if people die from Covid-19. Dems better get together on HR1 and pass it, then have Pres. Biden sign it, or else. I hope Manchin doesn't say something totally ignorant like "I'm not for the bill, because the GQP aren't included in on it. Earth to Drunk with Power, we have to pass this bill because of the GQP party, who don't want anybody to vote but right-winged reactionaries, rich white people and GQP'ers.

Dems better get rid of the filibuster & go big or go home permanently, which is going to be difficult because you have a mostly corporate media whose more interested in making news about them who'll hold Biden to a standard that no president can ever meet, and if that wasn't enough you have idiot in the dem (Small d) in there like Drunk with Power Manchin, and nitwit Sinema. Jamie Harrison better find some extra Dem Senate seat pick-ups to help off-set Drunk with Power and the Nitwit, or else.

riversedge

(69,706 posts)
7. I think the filly has to be gutted.
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 12:13 AM
Mar 2021



....................The president’s reluctance to go as far as one of his party’s most moderate members puts him at odds with civil rights leaders, labor and social justice advocates, as well as an increasing number of Democrats in and out of Congress. Eventually, they say, Biden is going to have to address the issue more directly rather than stick to carefully-crafted statements.

“My question is how can President Biden stay out of the debate, when the filibuster is preventing him from keeping the promises he made to the American people, how is that possible?” said Aimee Allison, president of She the People, which focuses on boosting women in politics and has joined other progressive groups in fighting for a $15 an hour wage. “Sooner or later the administration is going to have to deal with the filibuster.”

Rev. Al Sharpton said he “respects” Biden’s views on the filibuster but he expects the “antiquated” rule to come up during a regular meeting between top civil rights groups on Tuesday.

“We cannot come out of this period without le

Gore1FL

(21,027 posts)
10. He really has no say in the matter.
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 12:44 AM
Mar 2021

He can certainly express an opinion, but he doesn't make Senate rules, the Senate does.

jorgevlorgan

(8,227 posts)
11. Biden is not my favorite Senator in the world
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 12:51 AM
Mar 2021

But his decisions in the role of President are so far top notch!

 

zaj

(3,433 posts)
12. Biden's *support* makes if FAR more difficult to happen, but his his opposition is irrelevant.
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 02:26 AM
Mar 2021

Biden saying he opposes the reform won't make it harder for it to happen. It's just neutral. And he probably sincerely hops it stays (and there are some epiphany in the GOP to help pass legislation).

BUT...

If Biden supports the reform, then HE becomes the singular face of the whole effort that the GOP wants to attack him, and Fox News wants to drive the noise machine to create opposition to both HIM and the effort.

They will spin it as "Biden's power grab" and call him a dictator, thus pulling down his approval ratings and making him the evil face of this evil power grab.

His support makes it FAR more difficult to make it happen.

But if he stays quiet, says he doesn't support it, and the Senate does it anyway, he will still sign the 51-vote bills that reach his desk.

Deminpenn

(15,246 posts)
13. That's in interesting perspective and jibes with
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 06:06 AM
Mar 2021

something I heard/read recently that the Biden WH is specifically not attaching Biden's name to any legislation or policy. The policy is in the spotlight, not the president. This is why it's not a coincidence the Am Recovery Act is 10 pts or so more popular than Biden himself.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
15. ALSO, congessional Dems agreed to leave the filibuster alone
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 09:09 PM
Mar 2021

and in turn McConnell agreed about committee chairs and power sharing. I'm sure McConnell would have to do something very obstructive to cause Schumer etc to believe the agreement was unworkable.

And it seems likely that could happen. We have to pass the For the People bill.

Itm, of course Biden's position is to honor the agreement we made, but as others said, it's not his decision. Just read that Senator Durbin is supporting limited filibuster reform.

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