Mitch McConnell backs off demand to preserve filibuster and allows power-sharing deal with Democrats to move forward in the Senate
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has backed off his demand that Democrats preserve the procedural tool known as the filibuster, easing a standoff with new majority leader Chuck Schumer.
McConnell had initially refused to agree to a plan for organizing the chamber without a promise from the Democrats to protect the filibuster - a key stalling tactic that requires a 60 vote threshold in order to advance most bills - which had been rejected by Schumer.
But as the pair continue to negotiate a power-sharing agreement, McConnell said late Monday he had essentially accomplished his goal after two Democrats said they would not agree to changing the rules.
Without the support of all Democratic senators, a rule change would fail.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has backed off his demand that the new Democratic Senate majority preserve the filibuster, easing a standoff with the new Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
McConnell had initially refused to agree to a plan for organizing the chamber without a promise from the Democrats to protect the procedural tool - a requirement Chuck Schumer rejected
'With these assurances, I look forward to moving ahead with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent,' McConnell said in a statement. He did not name the Democrats, but West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema had expressed reservations with doing away with the tool.
Schumer's office said the Republican leader had no choice but to set aside his demands.
'We're glad Sen. McConnell threw in the towel and gave up on his ridiculous demand,' said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for the Democratic leader. 'We look forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and start getting big, bold things done for the American people.'
The filibuster could be used by Republicans as a way to obstruct President Biden's agenda.
The standoff between the two leaders all but ground the Senate to a halt in the early days of the new Democratic majority as the two sides could not organize the chamber's routine operations for committee assignments and resources (file photo)
The standoff between the two leaders all but ground the Senate to a halt in the early days of the new Democratic majority as the two sides could not organize the chamber's routine operations for committee assignments and resources. The stalemate threatened President Joe Biden's ability to deliver on his legislative agenda.
Usually a routine matter, the organizing resolution for the chamber became a power play by McConnell once Democrats swept to control after the Jan. 5 special election in Georgia.
Even though McConnell did away with the 60-vote threshold to confirm President Donald Trump's three nominees to the Supreme Court, he wanted to prevent Democrats from doing the same with Biden's legislative agenda.
Democrats were under pressure from liberal advocates to do away with the filibuster so they could more easily pass Biden's legislative priorities without the need for Republican votes. The Democrats hold the slimmest of majorities in the chamber, 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to cast the tie-breaking vote.
Schumer had not said he would end the process, but McConnell was taking no chances. McConnell made the demand to keep the filibuster before agreeing to any other organizing terms for the Senate. Schumer's refusal to do so put the chamber at a standstill.