Bipartisan group discussing changing Senate rules

A bipartisan group of senators are quietly discussing potential changes to Senate rules in a bid to break the growing legislative deadlock in the chamber.

The talks would not clear the 60-vote legislative obstruction, which has been back in the spotlight after throwing a wrench in a power-sharing deal and Sens. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump Censorship Faces Strong Difficulty in Senate Humanist Report Host Criticizes ‘Conservative Democrats’: ‘They Hold More Power’ Than Progressives McConnell: Sinema Told Me That it would not cancel the systematic obstruction PLUS (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) Reiterated that they do not support his elimination.

But senators involved in the talks are looking for ways to make it easier to get votes for bipartisan bills and get more votes on amendments, which have become increasingly rare in the Senate.

“We’re talking about a number of these possibilities,” Sen. Tim kaineTimothy (Tim) censorship Michael KaineTrump faces severe hardship in Senate Schumer vows to move forward with Trump trial despite setback The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden seeks vaccine for all by summer ; Trump’s censorship? MORE (D-Va.) Told The Hill, noting that the talks were taking place both between Democrats but also with Republicans.

His. Mike RoundsMike RoundsSenate GOP Reports Likely To Acquit Trump For Second Time The Memo: Chances of GOP Breaking Up With Trump The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Focus on Vaccine, Virus, Travel MORE (RS.D.), who is involved in the discussions, said there was “an interest in at least seeing the Senate function as it did in the past”.

“I think it would be healthy if the Senate were able to find a way – at least on a pilot project for lack of a better term – to test whether or not we could be responsible members who would get relevant amendments at least. on a limited basis, ”Rounds said.

Senators involved in the negotiations stressed they were not close to a deal, noting the time would likely not have come before President TrumpDonald Trump FBI says California extremist may have targeted Newsom House Democrat touts resolution to kick Marjorie Taylor Greene from congressional Facebook to recall political content on platformThe second impeachment trial, which is scheduled to begin on February 9.

While Democrats want to act quickly on coronavirus relief, most laws are on hold until the process is completed.

His. Ben cardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis Cardin Lawmakers say bipartisan legislation key to economic recovery Hill’s Morning report – Biden seeks vaccine for all by summer; Trump’s censorship? On The Money: GOP seeks to defend Trump’s tax cuts | Democrats raise minimum wage | Financial industry braces for choice of Biden consumer office READ MORE (D-Md.) Said senators were trying to see if there was a bipartisan way to facilitate the tabling of bills.

“There are ways we would like to change the flooring procedure, but not necessarily get rid of the filibuster,” he said. “What we are trying to do is bring in bipartisan bills, with guaranteed amendments and measures.”

He added that there was a bipartisan interest in trying to find ways to avoid wasting time on follow-up motions, a first procedural step for a bill to pass, as well as freeing up bills retained by one or two senators. Senate rules allow a single senator to delay a debate or stop a vote unless the leaders are willing to use precious time to defeat the senator.

Neither of the Senate majority leaders Charles SchumerChuck Schumer – Former DHS leaders slam Republicans for blocking Binden candidate Mayorkas How will an impeachment trial unite Americans? The host of the humanist report criticizes the “ conservative democrats ”: “ They hold more power ” than the progressives READ MORE (DN.Y.) nor the head of the GOP Senate Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse Democrat touts resolution to kick Marjorie Taylor Greene out of Congress Bringing America back from Senate abyss GOP slows down Biden’s choice to lead DHS PLUS (R-Ky.) Are actively involved in the talks, although Sen. Dick durbinDick DurbinTrump Censorship Faces High Odds In Senate Over Money: GOP Scrambles To Defend Trump’s Tax Cuts | Democrats optimistic about raising minimum wage | Financial industry braces for choice of Biden consumer office Senator Patrick Leahy returns home after hospitalization MORE (D-Ill.), Schumer’s No.2, said the Democratic leader had been briefed.

Schumer, at a press conference on Tuesday, said he wanted to make the Senate work better but did not specifically commit to accepting the changes.

“Listen, we’re hoping we can get a more open process. Under Chief McConnell, it was completely closed. We have hardly legislated. The House sent over 260 bills and none of them saw the light of day. We want a more open process, ”said Schumer.

Durbin, who is involved in the talks, said there had been talks but they were not near “any conclusion on what to do next”.

“It started with a zoom conference on Democrats that I called, then very quickly Jeff MerkleyJeff Merkley Biden Expands Obama’s Ethics Promise Biden Signs Executive Order Citing 2-Year Lobbying Ban for Those Named K Street Navigates Virtual Inauguration Week MORE [D-Ore.] stepped in, ”Durbin said.

His. Roy BluntRoy Dean Blunt Censorship faces tough challenges in Senate GOP steps on impeachment Only five GOP senators vote Trump’s impeachment trial is constitutional (R-Mo.), A member of the GOP leadership and the top Republican on the Rules Committee, said he was aware of the negotiations but had not yet decided whether they had enough traction to that he gets involved.

“I have not yet decided whether there is interest in getting involved,” he said.

“I spent a lot of time on it, especially when Senator Schumer and I were the chairman and the first-row member on the rules and he was never willing to do any of those things that would take away the first hurdle of the 60 votes or anything like that ”. Blunt added.

The effort to see if there is a deal to be made on smaller changes to Senate rules stems from the fact that Democrats currently lack the votes to override the legislative obstruction. Democrats hold 50 seats, but Manchin and Sinema are both publicly opposed to the end of the legislative filibuster. Many others are reluctant to take such a step.

Asked about opposition from Manchin and Sinema, Merkley, who supports removing the 60-vote legislative obstruction, said he was gathering information on how to make the Senate more functional.

“Part of this is an effort to restore the amendment for Democrats and Republicans to have a faster track for bipartisan bills to be considered on the ground … and we’ll just see where it all leads. “, did he declare.

There is great frustration in the Senate that a handful of senators have increasingly limited the ability to get amendment votes on the few bills that are debated and debated. votes in the Senate.

One idea being discussed is that bills that get a certain level of support in the committee could be voted straight up or down in the Senate. Senators are also interested in trying to get a guarantee for each party to have a certain number of amendment votes.

“We’re actually speaking in caucus, but with Republicans too, bills that go through committees that are significantly bipartisan can get a guaranteed vote. … Can we have an agreed amendment process, “Kaine said.

Kaine added that the talks have been going on since December but that he expected them to “bear fruit” after the Senate passes Trump’s second impeachment trial.

Rounds acknowledged that there was great frustration among senators over the current state of the Senate, but warned that getting a deal will not be easy.

“There’s a reason it hasn’t been done before,” Rounds said. “There are pitfalls and we are trying to get out of them.”