McConnell: Power-sharing deal can proceed after Manchin, Sinema back filibuster

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) indicated on Monday night that a power-sharing deal could move forward after two Democrats reiterated they would not nix the 60-vote legislative filibuster.

“Today two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster. They agree with President Biden’s and my view that no Senate majority should destroy the right of future minorities of both parties to help shape legislation,” McConnell said in a statement.

“The legislative filibuster was a key part of the foundation beneath the Senate’s last 50-50 power-sharing agreement in 2001. With these assurances, I look forward to moving ahead with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent,” McConnell added.

The GOP leader’s remarks effectively ends the days-long impasse over how to organize an evenly split 50-50 Senate, where Democrats hold the majority because Vice President Harris can break a tie.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) immediately declared victory. 

“We’re glad Senator McConnell threw in the towel and gave up on his ridiculous demand. We look forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and start getting big, bold things done for the American people,” said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer. 

McConnell’s comments come after Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) reiterated on Monday that they oppose nixing the 60-vote legislative filibuster.

“I do not support doing away with the filibuster under any condition. It’s not who I am,” Manchin told reporters.

Sinema’s office also reiterated on Monday that she is still not supportive of nixing the filibuster after The Washington Post incorrectly suggested that she might be open to getting rid of the 60-vote hurdle. 

Sinema is “against eliminating the filibuster, and she is not open to changing her mind about eliminating the filibuster,” a spokesperson told the Post.

Democrats rejected McConnell’s filibuster demand last week, though they didn’t indicate how they thought the situation would be resolved.

Democrats don’t have the votes to nix the filibuster, but they’ve also scoffed at McConnell trying to box them in despite no longer controlling the chamber. 

Schumer, in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, which was taped before McConnell’s statement, said that he thought McConnell would “come to his senses and take our offer” in a matter of days.

“He’s not going to get his way. … That is universal in my caucus,” Schumer said, adding that McConnell’s move “really angered my entire caucus.”

— Updated 11:17 p.m.