Manchin Slams Harris’ Filibuster Plan, Says It Could ‘Destroy Our Country’

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has blasted Kamala Harris’ proposal to eliminate the Senate filibuster, warning that it could have disastrous consequences for the country. Harris, now the Democratic presidential candidate, has endorsed removing the filibuster to pass a national abortion law through the Senate with a simple majority.

Manchin, known for his centrist views, expressed serious concerns over this move, calling the filibuster “the holy grail of democracy.” He warned that if the Senate abolishes the filibuster, the upper chamber will lose its ability to foster bipartisan cooperation, becoming what he described as “the House on steroids.” Without the filibuster, Manchin believes the Senate will devolve into extreme partisanship, making meaningful collaboration between parties virtually impossible.

Manchin did not stop at criticizing the policy, but made it clear that Harris’ stance was enough for him to withhold his support for her presidential campaign. “My country is more important to me than any one person or ideology,” Manchin stated, underscoring the seriousness of the issue for him.

His concerns were echoed by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who also came out against Harris’ plan. Sinema, a former Democrat who now serves as an independent, warned that eliminating the filibuster could backfire. She noted that while Harris’ plan aims to codify abortion rights, a future Congress could use the same rule change to pass legislation banning abortion nationwide. Sinema labeled Harris’ proposal as “absolutely terrible” and dangerously shortsighted.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) also joined in the criticism, accusing Harris of political opportunism. Cotton pointed out that Harris had previously signed a letter supporting the filibuster, arguing that she is willing to abandon her principles for political gain. “Her word is meaningless. She’ll say anything to get elected,” Cotton remarked.

Harris’ support for eliminating the filibuster has sparked bipartisan backlash, with critics from both sides warning of the potential long-term damage to the Senate’s role as a deliberative body. The filibuster, long seen as a safeguard against one-party rule, is now at the center of a heated debate as the 2024 election approaches.