Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have come out strongly against Kamala Harris’ recent endorsement of eliminating the Senate filibuster to pass a national abortion law. Both lawmakers have expressed concern that Harris’ plan could have far-reaching negative consequences.
Manchin, a vocal defender of the filibuster, said that Harris’ proposal could “destroy our country” by erasing the bipartisan nature of the Senate. He argued that the filibuster is crucial for fostering debate and collaboration across party lines, warning that without it, the Senate would become “the House on steroids.” Manchin made it clear that he could not support Harris in the 2024 election if she continued to push for this rule change.
Sinema, who has shifted to independent status, was equally critical. She pointed out that removing the filibuster could allow future lawmakers to use the same rule change to implement sweeping anti-abortion laws, calling Harris’ plan “absolutely terrible” and shortsighted.
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) also criticized Harris, reminding voters that she once pledged to support the filibuster as a senator. Cotton accused Harris of flip-flopping to suit her political ambitions, saying her word “means nothing.”
Harris’ push to eliminate the filibuster is causing a rift within the Democratic Party, as moderates like Manchin and Sinema caution against the potential long-term damage to the Senate’s role as a deliberative body.
