Democrats Don’t Have The Votes For Their Election Takeover Legislation, So Now They’re Prepared To End The Filibuster, Something They Repeatedly Said They Opposed

IN AN ATTEMPT TO “PASS LITERALLY ANYTHING,” DEMOCRATS ARE NOW READY TO EVISCERATE THE FILIBUSTER

• As Biden’s signature “Build Back Broke” legislation sputters in the Senate, far-left Democrats are pivoting to an attempt to upend Senate rules by eliminating the filibuster to eviscerate election integrity, part of a desperate “attempt to pass literally anything.”
• Tomorrow, Biden will likely speak on the Democrats’ attempt to end the filibuster, which White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said he now endorses.
• After years of defending the filibuster to preserve “democracy,” Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats are ready to destroy it to pass their radical agenda.
• Democrats’ attempt to eliminate the filibuster has nothing to do with “voting rights.”
  • As their own past statements show, Democrats want to change the rules because they don’t have the votes to pass their radical legislation.

BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS REPEATEDLY DEFENDED THE FILIBUSTER

• For decades, Biden said eliminating the filibuster would have drastic consequences:
  • In 2020, Biden said he did not support “abolishing the legislative filibuster” because “it raises problems that are more damaging than the problem that exists.”
  • In 2019, Biden called ending the filibuster a “very dangerous thing to do.”
  • In 2005, Biden praised the “chance to filibuster,” called the “nuclear option” to weaken the filibuster an “arrogance of power,” and said eliminating the filibuster “would undermine the protections of a minority point of view” and have “long term consequences.”
• Kamala Harris also defended the filibuster:
  • In 2019, then-Senator Kamala Harris said she had a “practical concern” if the filibuster were not in place.
  • In 2017, Harris signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.

ACCORDING TO SCHUMER, ELIMINATING THE FILIBUSTER WOULD BE “DOOMSDAY FOR DEMOCRACY”

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was an advocate of the filibuster for decades:
  • In April 2017, Schumer said he wanted to “protect” the filibuster because without it “the Senate becomes a majoritarian institution,” and concluded that “no Senator would like to see this happen.”
  • In January 2017, Schumer said he wished Democrats hadn’t triggered the “nuclear option” in 2013 for lower court nominees.
  • In May 2005, Schumer defended the filibuster as a tool to promote bipartisanship and give a voice to the minority.
  • In March 2005, Schumer claimed that it would be a “doomsday for democracy” if the Senate changed its rules on the filibuster and that he would “stand in [the] way” of those who want to eliminate the filibuster.
  • In 2003, Schumer defended the filibuster as a way to bring “balance” to the Senate and slammed attempts to “change the rules.”
• Schumer now defends eliminating the filibuster by claiming that former Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) – a Senate “traditionalist” – supported this, however Byrd never supported the effort to remove the filibuster.
  • In 2005, Byrd said that “the opponents of the filibuster” want to “change the rules in the middle of the game to get their own way,” and added that “delay, deliberation, and debate” is the “American way for all of us who love our country.”

MORE THAN THREE DOZEN SENATE DEMOCRATS PREVIOUSLY WARNED AGAINST ELIMINATING THE FILIBUSTER

• Dozens of Senate Democrats have repeatedly defended the filibuster and demanded that a 60-vote threshold be preserved.
• Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in 2021 defended the filibuster as a “protection” for the minority.
  • In 2020, Sinema said “I do not believe we should take away the filibuster.”
  • In 2019, Sinema said the filibuster is the “right thing for the country.”
• Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in 2020 said the filibuster is “a part of Senate tradition” which “serves a purpose” and “is healthy.”
  • In 2017, Feinstein signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Feinstein called out efforts to eliminate the Senate filibuster as limiting the voices of the minority.
• John Hickenlooper (D-CO) in 2021 said it is “premature” to eliminate the filibuster and that he wants to give the filibuster a “good chance to succeed.”
  • In 2019, Hickenlooper said the filibuster played a “useful role” in the Senate.
• Michael Bennet (D-CO) in 2019 said he does not support eliminating the filibuster, arguing that eliminating “mechanisms” like the 60-vote threshold “seems like a really bad answer” that would lead to “one-party rule.”
  • In 2017, Bennet signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2017, Bennet said that he was “concerned” about the loss of the filibuster.
• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in 2017 defended the filibuster and said “it is our right.”
• Chris Coons (D-DE) in 2021 claimed that eliminating the filibuster was not the “first, second or third thing” that the Senate should be doing.”
  • In 2019, Coons said, “I think the consequences of getting rid of [the filibuster] are too great.”
  • In 2018 Coons called the filibuster one of the “most important” rules in the Senate and said he was “committed to never voting to change the legislative filibuster.”
  • In 2017, Coons helped "lead" a letter that was signed by 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Tom Carper (D-DE) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Carper defended the filibuster saying the Senate rule is an “important defense of minority rights.”  
• Brian Schatz (D-HI) in 2017 tweeted in support of the filibuster calling it a “compromise” between parties which helps prevent “rushed garbage legislation.”
  • In 2017, Schatz signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in 2019 claimed that she was not “particularly in favor of getting rid of the filibuster” because that means “majority rule.”
  • In 2017, Hirono signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Dick Durbin (D-IL) in 2018 said getting rid of the filibuster would be the “end of the Senate as it was originally devised.”
  • In 2005, Durbin claimed that we need to use the filibuster to “preserve the voice of the minority in America” and “preserve checks and balances” as it is “about the rights of the American people.”
• Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in 2020 supported the filibuster saying, it is “harmful when certain laws pass with a simple majority.”
  • In 2017, Duckworth signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Angus King (I-ME) in 2021 said eliminating the filibuster is a “double-edged sword.”
  • In 2020, King said he is 100 percent opposed to eliminating the filibuster and does not foresee an end to the filibuster as “legislation is better when it has some bipartisan support.”
  • In 2017, King signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2012, King argued the filibuster was “designed to protect the interests of small states.”
• Ben Cardin (D-MD) in 2019 said the filibuster is a “bridge” between the left and right which is now “in jeopardy.”
• Ed Markey (D-MA) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in 2017 expressed her support of the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees saying, “if the nominee can’t get 60 votes, you don’t change the rule, you change the nominee.”
• Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Stabenow called the filibuster a crucial check and balance to promote the “minority view” and criticized attempts to “change the rules of the game.”
• Gary Peters (D-MI) in 2016 tweeted that he was “proud” to join his colleagues in filibustering.
• Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2019, Klobuchar said she regretted voting to eliminate the 60-vote threshold for lower court judges in 2013 and even said she would “prefer” to reinstate the 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees.
• John Tester (D-MT) in 2021 said he opposed ending the filibuster, saying “if you move to kill it once – it’s dead for good.”
  • In 2020, Tester said “I am a no on changing the filibuster” and called changing the rules of the Senate a “mistake.”
  • In 2019, when asked if he could imagine any circumstance where he would change his mind about the filibuster, Tester said “nope.”
  • In 2017, Tester defended the filibuster for nominations.
  • In 2017, Tester signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in 2021 said she does “not think we should fully eliminate the filibuster” because it “allows all voices to be heard,” and Democrat senators need to be “mindful” of the consequences.
  • In 2019, Rosen said “I think we should keep the filibuster” because “what you might think today would be in your favor, might not be in your favor tomorrow.”
• Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in 2021 said “no” when she was asked if she would support eliminating the 60-vote threshold of the filibuster.
  • In 2019, Shaheen said “there was a lot of interest in getting rid of the filibuster” and that “has not served us well.”
  • In 2017, Shaheen signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in 2021 said that she has “concerns about eliminating the filibuster.”
  • In 2017, Hassan signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Menendez claimed that ending the 60-vote threshold was an abuse of power that would “stomp on the rights of the minority.”
• Cory Booker (D-NJ) in 2019 said he would “personally resist efforts to get rid of” the filibuster and that “we should not be doing anything to mess with the strength of the filibuster.”
  • In 2017, Booker signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in 2019 called talk of eliminating the filibuster “not helpful” to policy making.
  • In 2017, Heinrich signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in 2019 defended the filibuster saying, “if you don’t have 60 votes yet, it just means you haven’t done enough advocacy and you need to work a lot harder.”
  • In 2017, Gillibrand signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in 2019 expressed support for the filibuster when he said, “there are ways of getting things through Congress with the legislative filibuster still in place.”
  • In 2017, Brown signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Bob Casey (D-PA) in 2019 declared himself a “yes” on keeping the legislative filibuster.
  • In 2017, Casey signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Jack Reed (D-RI) in 2017 called the filibuster “an important part in our system of checks and balances” when he signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Reed said that weakening the filibuster would “eviscerat[e]” the rights of the minority in the Senate.
• Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in 2013 expressed discomfort in eliminating the filibuster and reducing the Senate to a “party where a simple majority would ultimately prevail.”
  • In 2017, Whitehouse signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in 2019 admitted that he wasn’t “crazy about getting rid of the filibuster.”
  • In 2019, Sanders defended the filibuster and its role in protecting “minority rights.”
• Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in 2019 said “no” when asked if he supported getting rid of the legislative filibuster.
  • In 2017, Leahy signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2005, Leahy called the filibuster a “good thing” that promoted compromise and said he would fight against “one party rule.”
• Mark Warner (D-VA) in 2021 said it would “take an awful, awful lot” for him “to end the filibuster.”
  • In 2017, Warner signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Tim Kaine (D-VA) in 2019 said that he would be “reluctant” to end the filibuster as it has “value in the institution.”
  • In 2017, Kaine signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • In 2017, Kaine said Senate Democrats have tools, such as the filibuster, which they are “going to use.”
• Maria Cantwell (D-WA) in 2017 signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• Joe Manchin (D-WV) in 2021 said he is against eliminating the legislative filibuster: “I would be no on that.”
  • In 2021, Manchin agreed with a previous statement that he would “not be the 50^th Democrat voting to end” the Senate filibuster.
  • In 2020, Manchin said he would “not” vote to end the filibuster: “I’m not going to vote for that.”
  • In 2020, Manchin said he would not vote to end the filibuster as it would “break the Senate.”
  • In 2019, Manchin said he has “always been there” in support of the filibuster.
  • In 2017, Manchin signed a letter along with 31 other Democrat senators urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
• In 2017, 32 Democrat senators joined a bipartisan letter in urging the chamber to preserve the 60-vote threshold.
  • The Democrat senators who signed onto the letter were: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).