Schumer Set To Move Forward With Vote To End GOP Filibuster Of Voting Rights Legislation

January 19, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference following a Senate democratic caucus meeting on voting rights and the filibuster on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Ja... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference following a Senate democratic caucus meeting on voting rights and the filibuster on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Senate began debate Tuesday on an effort to enact sweeping voting rights reforms. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) MORE LESS
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January 19, 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is primed to have the upper chamber vote to end Republicans’ filibuster of voting rights legislation on Wednesday evening, likely followed by a vote to change how the filibuster functions. The plan is to offer a “talking filibuster” proposal to the floor, under which voting rights legislation would only require a simple majority to advance toward final passage following lengthy debate.

Changes to the filibuster look ill-fated at the moment: Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have made clear that they won’t budge on their loyalty to the filibuster in its current form.

Today's rough schedule: 

  • Senate convened at 10 a.m., with floor speeches expected throughout the day
  • Senate recessed from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly caucus meetings 
  • Republicans filibustered the vote to end debate on the voting rights bills, and the vote failed just before 9 p.m.
  • The Senate is now debating the filibuster reform, which is expected to come to a vote later tonight
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is primed to have the upper chamber vote to end Republicans’ filibuster of voting rights legislation on Wednesday evening, likely followed by a vote to change how the filibuster functions. The plan is to offer a “talking filibuster” proposal to the floor, under which voting rights legislation would only require a simple majority to advance toward final passage following lengthy debate.

Changes to the filibuster look ill-fated at the moment: Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have made clear that they won’t budge on their loyalty to the filibuster in its current form.

Notable Replies

  1. Why the hell not? If we lose, the entire country will know that two members of the U.S. Senate are working for the other side. I’m good with this strategy.

  2. Let’s vote and get Senators on the record. Everyone of them. Romney, Collins, Murkowski and Sinema and Manchin. A carve-out, a talking Filibuster - both are the minimum. Let’s vote and move on.

  3. Avatar for jwbuho jwbuho says:

    It seems to me that if Manchin and Sinema are sincere in their support for the voting rights bill and their reasons for preserving the filibuster, the talking filibuster/majority vote option would appear to be something they’d favor. Debate is supposed to present arguments and seek to persuade: okay then. Try to do those things. Then vote, dammit.

    ETA: Good to see Kelly’s cards on the table–and the note that he is up for reelection is a good indicator of the direction the political winds are blowing on this. (And apologies for the mixing of metaphors there.)

  4. Avatar for godwit godwit says:

    We will also know that 52 members and an entire political party think democracy is not in their interest.

  5. Avatar for godwit godwit says:

    No. Let’s vote, and then vote again. Mitch McConnell claims voting rights need more debate? Okay, we’re gonna debate. And vote, and vote again. In prime time.

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