Liberals are getting tired of Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat and centrist who is preventing the party from advancing its agenda even though it controls Congress and the White House.
Manchin in recent weeks has stood firm in his opposition to ending the Senate filibuster, which means Democrats can’t implement a major rule change that would allow them to pass legislation without any Republican support.
Legislation is now piling up, including gun control measures, an election and voting rights overhaul, and two amnesty bills, among other key Democratic priorities. None can pass without eliminating the filibuster, and all need unanimous support from Democrats, including Manchin.
But Manchin isn’t budging on his opposition to ending the 60-vote threshold and wants changes to much of the liberal legislation that has passed the House and now awaits Senate consideration.
MANCHIN WANTS CHANGES TO DEMOCRATIC ELECTION OVERHAUL BILL
On Thursday, Manchin dismissed a comment President Joe Biden made during his afternoon press conference in which he called the filibuster a relic of the Jim Crow era, when black people faced significant discrimination in the United States.
“I don’t think so,” Manchin said when asked if he agreed with Biden’s characterization of the 60-vote rule.
The filibuster, Manchin explained, is a tool used by the minority to force bipartisanship and debate in the Senate. Democrats used it regularly during the past six years to block legislation proposed by the GOP when it controlled the majority.
“The Senate is designed to be something different,” Manchin explained.
Manchin wants the two parties to work out bipartisan agreements on the legislation instead of passing measures with only Democratic votes.
“That means the big guy doesn’t pick on the little guy,” Manchin said. “I’ve been in the minority. I’ve been in the majority. So all I’m trying to protect is basically civility but making it work.”
But liberals are growing impatient and have no interest in appeasing Republicans by watering down legislation to earn a few of their votes.
It was Manchin’s opposition that helped to block a $15 minimum wage mandate from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill.
Manchin supported raising the minimum wage to $11 but said the $15 proposal would kill jobs in West Virginia. Such a provision could have picked up support from at least a handful of Republicans, if not more.
Liberal political action committees are now threatening to force out Manchin in a 2024 Democratic primary if he does not relent.
He’s not alone. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Democrat who is less vocal but similarly opposed to ending the filibuster, is also a target.
“As long as Sens. Manchin (WV) and Sinema (AZ) refuse to reform or abolish the filibuster, Mitch McConnell has ultimate veto power,” an ActBlue fundraising website warns.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and the Senate minority leader, is urging Democrats to hold on to the filibuster as he did while serving as majority leader despite having pressure from the Right.
The pressure this year has intensified because Democrats took the majority in January, but this time it comes from the Left.
A liberal PAC run by Saikat Chakrabarti, who helped elect Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is working to oust Manchin and Sinema in primaries.
The No Excuses PAC website tells supporters the two Democrats “stand in the way of progress” by opposing the filibuster.
The PAC emailed supporters last month, seeking donations to support liberal challengers.
“Help us find the next AOC to replace Manchin and Sinema,” the email said.
Hollywood is also piling on Manchin and Sinema.
Liberal actors are saturating social media with tirades against the duo, directing followers to fundraising sites aimed at pressuring the two to relent.
“It’s infuriating to me that 2 Democratic Senators are what stand between us and making real legislative progress,” actor Piper Perabo tweeted. “It’s time to end the filibuster.”
Filibuster opponents and supporters will be watching Manchin closely after Friday’s announcement that Biden will nominate his wife, Gayle Manchin, to serve as co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, which serves as a key regional economic development agency.
Republicans called the appointment a payoff meant to earn Manchin’s loyalty and support for ending the filibuster. Liberals hope it will lead to Manchin agreeing to end the filibuster.
Manchin’s opposition to the filibuster has provided cover for a few other Democrats who have expressed opposition to ending the 60-vote threshold.
In addition to Sinema, Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire are among Democrats who oppose outright elimination of the filibuster. Others remain undecided or won’t say whether they’ll vote to end it.
Tester told reporters he would back a rule that would force senators to engage in a talking filibuster in order to keep a bill from reaching the floor for debate. Such a rule would require opponents to hold the floor with endless speeches but would maintain the 60-vote threshold.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
A reform to the filibuster, rather than outright elimination, has Biden’s tentative support and could provide a way out for Democrats under increasing pressure to capitulate.
“I think it would reduce the number of filibusters,” Tester said.
