Vice President Kamala Harris sparked controversy during an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio on Tuesday by voicing her support for eliminating the legislative filibuster in relation to abortion rights. The filibuster currently requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass most legislation, while Harris proposed that a simple majority of 51 votes should suffice to restore protections for reproductive rights under Roe v. Wade.
“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe,” Harris stated, emphasizing the need for individuals to have control over their own bodies without government interference.
The Vice President’s remarks were met with significant backlash, particularly from Senate leaders who view the filibuster as an essential component of the democratic process. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sharply criticized her statement, arguing that undermining the filibuster would compromise the Senate’s functionality as a legislative body that represents dissenting views.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a notable defender of the filibuster, expressed his disapproval more vocally, claiming, “Shame on her,” and labeled the filibuster as “the Holy Grail of democracy.” He expressed concern that altering the filibuster rules could threaten the integrity of the country itself.
Manchin, who has transitioned from being a conservative Democrat to an independent this year while still caucusing with Senate Democrats, reaffirmed his stance against Harris’s comments. He has been a vocal advocate for the filibuster throughout President Biden’s tenure.
While Harris’s position may seem contentious, many believe that the possibility of meaningful change is slim, particularly as Republicans are projected to regain control of the Senate in future elections. Any potential reforms to the filibuster would also require unanimous support from Democrats, including voices like Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who have previously opposed such changes.