With many senate Democrats eager to push through President Joe Biden’s agenda, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has issued a stark warning that the Republicans would grind the chamber to a halt if Democrats changed filibuster rules, creating a “scorched earth” Senate.
The way McConnell explained it was that Republicans would use every rule and option available to Senate Republicans to halt the chamber so that nothing would move through, stating, “This chaos would not open up an express lane to liberal change. It would not open up an express lane for the Biden presidency to speed into the history books. The Senate would be more like a 100-car pile-up, nothing moving.”
McConnell also reminded Senate Democrats that the pendulum would eventually swing back in their direction and they would take that opportunity to take action the Democrats would strongly oppose.
McConnell also promised that Republicans would not only remove all the harmful Democratic policies enacted this way, but would then move to strengthen conservative policies with absolutely zero input from the Democrats (which is what Democrats are attempting to do to Republicans in the current political situation). Among the things Republicans would target first, according to McConnell were the following:
- Defunding sanctuary cities.
- Defunding Planned Parenthood.
- Strengthen protections for the unborn.
- Strengthen domestic energy production.
- Nationalize concealed carry laws.
- Create nationwide right-to-work laws.
- Secure the Southern border.
McConnell also warned that America was not on board with a sweeping progressive agenda, reminding them that we currently have a 50-50 Senate.
What is McConnell fighting against?
Currently, most legislation requires a 60-vote threshold. Ending the filibuster creates an environment where a simple majority can push legislation through. With a 50-50 Senate and Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote, no Republican input would be required to change laws.
McConnell also warned that this would lead to radical swings in policies from one term to the next with federal laws remaining perpetually unsettled.
Fortunately, Democrats do not currently have enough votes to kill the filibuster, but there is enormous pressure within the chamber to do exactly that. Congress has certainly not wasted their time this session, having passed many bills, including HR-1 that will nationalize voting and create a voting system that is ripe for abuse and fraud; the PRO Act, and two bills related to stricter gun control and background checks.
Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic leader, claims McConnell’s remarks are merely diversions, but goes on to say that all options for filibuster changes remain on the table. Those who support the legislative filibuster argue that it protects the rights of the minority party (and those who elected them). Opponents view it as a means of blocking what they believe to be popular legislation. An objective argument would be that if only one vote makes the difference, it isn’t all that popular.
