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“Shame on her,” Manchin said, in reference to Harris. “She knows the filibuster is the Holy Grail of democracy. It’s the only thing that keeps us talking and working together. If she gets rid of that, then this would be the House on steroids.”
Harris’s quest to abolish the filibuster stems from her belief that it’s an outdated obstacle preventing meaningful progress on key issues like abortion rights. Her push comes at a time when many Democrats see the rule as an impediment to passing their legislative agenda, particularly in a polarized Senate where getting 60 votes for cloture (a motion to end debate) is nearly impossible.
For Manchin, however, the filibuster is a necessary safeguard, preventing what he sees as the tyranny of the majority. “That ain’t going to happen,” Manchin continued. “I think that basically can destroy our country, and my country is more important to me than any one person or any one person’s ideology. … I think it’s the most horrible thing.”
Manchin’s stance isn’t surprising to those familiar with his record. Throughout his time in the Senate, he’s been a staunch defender of the filibuster, arguing that it encourages compromise and prevents one-party dominance. He’s often positioned himself as a moderate voice in an increasingly divided Washington. However, his decision to withdraw support for Harris represents a significant political blow to the Vice President.
What makes Manchin’s criticism sting even more is the personal nature of his remarks. He pointed out that Harris has changed her position on controversial issues in the past, specifically referencing her reversal on fracking. “Well, she said she supported banning fracking too, and she changed that. I was hoping she would change this,” Manchin remarked.
Manchin’s disappointment with Harris is echoed by other centrist Democrats and Republicans who see the filibuster as a key part of the legislative process. By eliminating it, they argue, the Senate would become a more polarized and less collaborative body, mirroring the gridlock that often characterizes the House of Representatives.
Harris, on the other hand, has remained firm in her position. On Tuesday morning, she reiterated her stance during an interview, advocating for the elimination of the filibuster specifically for abortion-related legislation. “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe,” Harris said. “And get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do.”
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Harris’s push to eliminate the filibuster is not a new position. During her 2020 presidential campaign, she expressed support for doing away with the rule in order to pass the Green New Deal and other pieces of progressive legislation. Now, as Vice President, she continues to champion this cause, undeterred by opposition from within her own party.
In the coming months, the debate over the filibuster is likely to intensify. While Harris may have the backing of progressive Democrats, she faces significant resistance from moderates like Manchin and others who believe that eliminating the rule would do more harm than good. The question remains: will Harris’s gamble pay off, or will her determination to scrap the filibuster ultimately undermine her political future?
Manchin’s decision to withdraw support marks a significant turning point for Harris. As she pushes forward with her agenda, it’s clear that she’ll face an uphill battle not only from Republicans but also from those within her own party who are unwilling to sacrifice Senate tradition for short-term political gain.
