Sinema and Manchin say they won't support eliminating the filibuster
![Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aYwxjbMEbSxEsCJ6hErQyY-415-80.jpg)
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Thursday were quick to throw water on their fellow Democrats' plan to pass voting rights legislation.
Both Sinema and Manchin said they do not support eliminating the filibuster, the Senate's 60-vote supermajority rule. On Tuesday, President Biden delivered fiery remarks about voting rights during an address in Georgia, and endorsed changing the filibuster in order to get the legislation through.
Biden met privately with Democratic lawmakers Thursday on Capitol Hill, but before he could arrive to rally the troops, Sinema made a speech on the Senate floor, saying, "While I continue to support these [voting] bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country." She added that her colleagues "must address the disease itself ... to protect our democracy. The response requires something greater and, yes, more difficult than what the Senate is discussing today."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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.
Manchin released a statement after Biden left Capitol Hill, saying the filibuster plays an "important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate. Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside."
Several Democrats who met with Biden on Thursday told The Washington Post that he did not mention Sinema and Manchin, instead focusing on the morality of passing voting rights legislation. "He emphasized not only that history will be watching you, but that a lot of people don't have an opportunity to do something that will do so much good for so many at a time where it's so necessary," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) shared with the Post.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he will bring two voting rights bills to the Senate floor in the next few days, and Biden told reporters on Thursday night he hopes "we can get this done. The honest-to-God answer is, I don't know if we can get this done. But one thing for certain, one thing for certain, like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try a second time."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How Black organizations quickly pivoted and mobilized for Kamala Harris
In the spotlight Harris has a shot at being the first Black woman to lead the Democratic ticket
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Harris clinches Democratic support, raises $81M
Speed Read President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed her as his replacement
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The convention speakers whose political stars rose
The Explainer Why you're likely to see the future leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parties at the conventions
By David Faris Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Democrats 'resigned to a second Trump presidency'
Talking Points Did the assassination attempt end Biden's election chances?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published