Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats will have a better shot at nixing the filibuster next year to force through a liberal agenda.
Arizona independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III, the Democratic Caucus’ biggest opponents to changing the chamber’s long-standing 60-vote threshold, are not seeking reelection and will retire from Congress in January at the end of their terms.
“When people attempt — courts or legislators — to take away voting rights, particularly of the most disenfranchised people, we have an obligation to do everything we can to restore those voting rights,” Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, told reporters when prompted about the filibuster.
Ending the filibuster also will depend on Senate Democrats maintaining their razor-thin majority in the November elections.
Democrats have for years tried to shepherd through Congress new voting rights laws and made the policy issue a rallying cry for dismantling the filibuster so bills can pass with a simple majority.
But facing a tough road map this fall to keeping chamber control, Senate Democrats are unlikely to get another chance anytime soon to change Senate rules.
Other Democrats, such as Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, could also present roadblocks to getting rid of it because they support filibuster “reform” but not necessarily ending it.
Republicans have faced similar hurdles in the past. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell resisted urging by former President Donald Trump to axe the filibuster when Republicans were in control.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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