McConnell Gives in on Senate Power Sharing After Assurances the Filibuster Will Stay
Meh. Will it last?
Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate Republican leader, in a statement on Monday, said he would support a power-sharing agreement with Democrats after days of impasse held up the basic organization and daily work of the 50-50 chamber.
Democrat Chuck Schumer, now the majority leader thanks to Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote, and McConnell had been at odds over the Republican’s demand that Democrats promise to protect the filibuster, which requires a 60-vote supermajority to advance most legislation.
McConnell changed his stance after Senators Kyrsten Simena (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) reiterated their stance that they will not support ending the filibuster.
Of course, that’s what Simena and Manchin say today. If the two sides reach an impasse, the Senators can always change their minds and back a resolution that changes how the Senate does business. Such a move needs only a simple majority, which would be all 50 Democrat Senators plus Vice President Harris.
