Clyburn suggests a filibuster carveout for legislation related to Constitution in lieu of elimination
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a close ally of President Biden, told Politico he's pushing the White House to support a filibuster workaround that would allow Senate Democrats to pass a sweeping voting rights bill, as well as another bill reauthorizing key sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, without the required 60 votes.
The idea is to create a carveout for legislation, like the voting rights bill, that applies to the Constitution. In that case, the filibuster would still remain in tact for other issues. Clyburn said he's brought it up with White House counselor Steve Ricchetti, Office of Public Engagemenet Director Cedric Richmond, and even Vice President Kamala Harris. It's unclear if anyone was receptive, but Clyburn seems to determined to keep making the pitch since he believes "Democrats can kiss the majority goodbye" if the bill isn't passed, Politico reports.
Clyburn said he also held a one-one-one meeting with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), who has remained steadfast in his opposition to nuking the filibuster, telling him: "I'm not asking you to eliminate the filibuster. ... But what I'm saying to you is that nobody ought to have the right to filibuster my constitutional rights."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Of course, Manchin, a committed centrist, has said he won't vote for the elections bill in its current state, either way, since it's too broad, which would mean it would still fall short of a majority. But he is a proponent of the reauthorization bill. Read more at Politico.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 2, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Groundhog Day, cryptocurrency, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 sunny-side up cartoons about egg prices
Cartoons Artists take on inflated prices, double standards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
'Swimming in the sky' in northern Brazil
The Week Recommends The pools of Lençóis Maranhenses are clear and blue
By The Week UK Published
-
What is 'impoundment' and how does it work?
The Explainer The Trump administration grabbed at the 'power of the purse' in Congress, using a little-known executive action that could have massive implications for the future
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government use
Speed Read The artificial intelligence research company has launched a new version of its chatbot tailored for the US government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Caroline Kennedy urges Senate to reject RFK Jr.
Speed Read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin said he should not become President Donald Trump's health secretary, calling his medical views 'dangerous'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
GOP senator reneged on voting against Hegseth
Speed Read North Carolina senator Thom Tillis provided the deciding vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump sparks chaos with spending, aid freezes
Speed Read A sudden freeze on federal grants and loans by President Donald Trump's administration has created widespread confusion
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published