Democrats eye killing Senate filibuster as lawmaker warns move could be a 'double-edged sword'
Democratic senators are discussing the possibility of eliminating the Senate filibuster as their party prepares to take control of the chamber.
The discussion comes as Democrats are set to regain control of the Senate, a shift that has renewed focus on the chamber's procedural rules.
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts stated that the filibuster is 'something that has to be on the table' as the party formulates its strategy for the new majority.
However, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey cautioned that altering the rules could be a 'double-edged sword' with consequences that extend long after Democrats leave office.
Internal debate intensifies
A move to eliminate the filibuster would remove the 60-vote hurdle, allowing Democrats to advance most legislation with a simple majority and significantly weaken Republicans' ability to block their agenda.
The potential change also carries the risk of empowering a future Republican majority with the same advantage, a concern raised by Kim.
Some of these things that we see here can be very much a double-edged sword.
Progressive calls for change
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has announced his candidacy against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the position of Senate Majority Leader.
Van Hollen has been a vocal advocate for terminating the filibuster, characterizing it as an 'anti-democratic' provision that was created by senators to enhance their own power.
Strategic considerations
Senator Kim suggested that Democrats should consider pushing legislation through other means before resorting to eliminating the filibuster.
I think we as a caucus would need to think through…what would we want to pass such that that would be an obstacle, you know, and I think we should be pushing as much as we can through other means.
He emphasized the need for the caucus to carefully consider what issues would become an obstacle to their goals.
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