High-ranking Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) indicated on Wednesday that she is “undecided” about eliminating the legislative filibuster, which implements a 60-vote threshold to pass major legislation. Scrapping the procedural hurdle would allow Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to fast-track President Biden’s legislative agenda, with just 51 votes from his chamber, without the consent of Republican lawmakers.
Feinstein warned that Senate Republicans could turn the tables once the GOP takes back the majority in the upper chamber.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) tells Capitol Hill pool she's not yet sold on nixing the filibuster, fretting that it could backfire on Democrats when GOP regains power.
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 17, 2021
"I am concerned. That is a factor," she says. "One of the reasons why I'm hesitant."
Feinstein says she’s “undecided” about getting rid of the filibuster because she thinks Republicans would impose their agenda on Democrats if they were in control.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 17, 2021
“I’m hesitant,” Feinstein said. (h/t @marianne_levine/@tedbarrettcnn)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned on Tuesday, once again, that Democrats would regret making such a move.
MCCONNELL: Democrats believe eliminating the legislative filibuster would mean fast-track policymaking.
— Senate Republican Communications Center (@SRCC) March 16, 2021
Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin to imagine what a completely scorched-earth Senate would look like.
MCCONNELL: The Senate’s 60-vote threshold is the only reason that any must-pass legislation is bipartisan except during divided gov't.
— Senate Republican Communications Center (@SRCC) March 16, 2021
Funding deals. Appropriations bills. Farm bills. Highway bills. The NDAA. It’s not just about controversial items; it’s about everything we do.
MCCONNELL: Majorities are never permanent.
— Senate Republican Communications Center (@SRCC) March 16, 2021
The last time a Democratic Leader was trying to start a “nuclear” exchange, I offered a warning.
Touching the hot stove again would yield the same result. But even more dramatic.
This pendulum would swing both ways — hard.
Democrat Senators Joe Manchin (WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) remain opposed to abolishing the filibuster, which prevents Schumer from having the votes to eliminate the threshold.
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