Huge GOP Win: Democrat Senator Sides With Republicans On Voter Reform Bill, Saves Filibuster

Joe Manchin, the Democratic Senator from West Virginia, just made a lot of people on the right very happy, giving them the life preserver they needed. Parting from the direction that Democrats are wanting to go on everything from voter reform laws to spending bills, Manchin sided with his colleagues on the other side of the aisle. In doing so, he signaled that the left’s voter reform bill would be blocked, and the filibuster would remain intact, allowing Republicans to kill bills rather than allowing them to pass by a simple majority.

Speaking with Fox News’ Chris Wallace last week, Manchin defended his decisions.

Wallace asked of his decision to retain the filibuster, “By taking it off the table, haven’t you empowered the Republicans to be obstructionists?”

I don’t think so,” Manchin replied. “Because we have seven great Republicans that continue to vote for what they know is right and the facts as they see them, and not worrying about the political consequences.”

Progressives in Congress have been eyeing the removal of the filibuster for some time. They are looking for complete control. Removing that particular tool means that they would be able to virtually pass any bill they wanted as long as everyone voted along party lines, knowing that they have the Vice President as the tie-breaking vote.

Regarding voter reform laws, most specifically The For the People Act, The Conservative Brief reported:

“It would enrich Democrats’ political campaigns with taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, the legislation would scrap voter ID laws and prevent states from managing their own elections.”

Manchin said that he hopes “people rise to the occasion to defend our country and support our country, to make sure that we have a democracy for this republic, of all the people. I am just very hopeful.”