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Still, the chances of Manchin’s engagement leading to an agreement are slim, given the large ideological divide between the two sides on the issue.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed that the Senate will soon vote on the latest Democratic proposal, which would set out certain federally mandated voting rules, including early voting options and expanding the access to postal ballots. In addition, the law requires more politically active groups to disclose their donors and adds more transparency requirements.
Schumer said he was giving Manchin time to contact Senate Republicans before submitting the legislation. But so far, he has no support from the 50 GOP caucus members, who say it’s an effort to federalize the U.S. electoral system and interfere with state rights.
“We are negotiating in good faith with the Republicans and we will see what happens,” Manchin said this week. “We have a few recommendations from our Republican friends who are returning now. So we’ll see how it goes.
In addition to Blunt, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is among the Republicans speaking with Manchin on the issue. Others were reluctant to discuss their involvement.
Many supporters of the Democrats’ electoral and ethics reform package argue that efforts for a bipartisan compromise are futile. Progressives have long wanted legislation to serve as a vehicle to kill legislative obstruction, and Democrats argue that passage of the bill in the near future is needed to fight restrictive voting laws by GOP states.
But without a change in Senate rules, the latest Democratic plan has no chance of being passed. Some Democrats privately hoped Manchin might be tricked into changing the rules of the chamber if he tried and failed to rally Republicans. Manchin, along with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona), categorically opposes both removing the legislative obstruction and creating an exclusion only for the passage of legislation.
Manchin isn’t the only Democrat reaching out to Republicans over voting and election legislation, despite months of stalemate. Judiciary Committee member Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Also reached out to Republicans about legislation named after the late Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) That would reinstate the requirement that some jurisdictions receive federal approval before making changes to election laws. While the bill passed the House in August, Murkowski was the only Republican in the Senate to co-sponsor the legislation last year and said this week she was still in the discussions.
“I continue to work with my friend Joe Manchin and with Senator Leahy,” she said.
Senator Thom Tillis (RN.C.), meanwhile, also spoke with Manchin and Leahy about electoral legislation. But Tillis admitted that right now “there is a pretty wide gap”.
“I am always looking for opportunities to work with [Manchin]”Tillis said.” We asked our staff to speak with Leahy and others, but I think the same way they have red lines to see, we have red lines on things we cannot authorize. ”
Manchin has a strong relationship across the aisle, and Senate Republicans have gone out of their way to praise the West Virginia Democrat for refusing to remove legislative filibuster and his $ 3.5 billion price opposition. dollars from the Democrats’ social spending plan. Senatorial Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently sent warm words to Manchin and even met him about the latest Elections and Ethics Bill, though he said hours earlier that ‘he would not receive any Republican support.
While Manchin played a key role in reaching a deal on the bipartisan physical infrastructure package and coronavirus relief bill last year, filling the party’s voting loopholes is an effort heavier – and potentially impossible -. Right now, it’s hard to see a deal that would bring together 10 Republicans and satisfy all 50 members of the Democratic caucus, many of whom see the Elections and Ethics Bill as an existential issue.
“Joe is just thinking, is there something we can agree on,” a Senate Republican said. “The problem with most of what he basically wants to do has to do with taking over the role of the state, and we can’t go because we don’t believe in it.”
Manchin has long insisted that any changes to electoral laws be bipartisan, and in June published an editorial explaining his opposition to the Democrats’ initial ethics and election reform, given the “S.1” designation. to signify its importance to the party. Over the summer, Manchin worked with a group of seven Democratic senators and Schumer to propose legislation backed by the 50 Democrats.
Manchin’s fellow Democrats view his efforts to woo Republicans with a mixture of skepticism and interest. With the debt ceiling struggle and efforts to get Manchin’s vote on the reconciliation plan, the public debate on how to push through electoral and ethical reform in the Senate is not at the forefront.
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said “there is always hope” that Manchin can find a compromise, citing his own bipartisan legislation to tackle hate crimes against Asian Americans, but added: “I’m not betting on that.” Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) Likened Manchin’s efforts to bring Republicans on board to his own push for some type of background check expansion.
“Our preference should always be to do things in a bipartisan way,” Murphy said. “I’m more likely to find 60 votes for a background check bill than he is to find 60 votes for a voting bill, but we’re both in the same area. “
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