Durbin: Senate should consider amending filibuster

A senior Democratic senator said on Sunday that he believed his party should consider removing the Senate filibuster rule if Republicans did not want to compromise on legislation pursued by the Biden administration.

His. Dick durbinDick DurbinCapitol insurrection fallout: A PATRIOT Act 2.0? Sunday shows preview: All eyes on Biden administration to tackle coronavirus overnight health care – Fauci: Lack of facts ‘likely’ cost lives in coronavirus fight CDC changes guidelines on COVID-19 vaccine to enable rare mix of Pfizer and Moderna | Senate chaos threatens to slow Biden’s agenda READ MORE (D-Ill.), Majority Whip, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that “of course” Democrats would consider amending the filibuster rule that requires most laws to reach 60. votes to pass the chamber if the Senate is crippled by GOP efforts to oppose Biden’s agenda.

“The American people want us to act, to act on this pandemic, to act on this economy and a host of other issues, and if this obstruction has become so common in the Senate that we cannot act, we we were just sitting there. helpless, shame on us. Of course, we should consider changing the rule under these circumstances, ”Durbin said.

“But let’s see. Let’s see if we can start a real bipartisan dialogue and do something. That’s the bottom line,” Durbin added.

His remarks follow the Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCapitol Insurrection Fallout: A PATRIOT Act 2.0? Schumer calls for the DOJ watchdog to investigate Trump’s alleged efforts to oust interim AG loans.the rejection by (DN.Y.) of a power-sharing plan presented by the leader of the minority in the Senate Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Biden leans on Obama-era climate nominations Kentucky Republican Committee rejects resolution urging McConnell to condemn Trump impeachment Calls multiply for 9/11-style panel to investigate on the attack on the Capitol PLUS (R-Ky.) This week following McConnell’s insistence that Democrats agree not to abandon the filibuster, which Schumer called “unacceptable.”

In order to change the rule, Democrats would need the support of everyone in their caucus, including several members who have already indicated their opposition to doing so, such as centrist West Virginia Sen. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden EPA Calls on Justice Department to Suspend Defense of Trump Era Rules | Company appeals rejection of Pebble Mine | Energy pick Granholm is due to be heard on Wednesday Nomination hearing for Biden Energy’s choice Granholm is scheduled for Wednesday Senate bipartisan gang to speak with Biden’s aide on coronavirus relief MORE (RE).

Calls to end the filibuster rule among the progressive left and even members of the House leadership have escalated in recent weeks, with Democrats urging Biden to act quickly with legislation to combat the pandemic of COVID-19.