Zachary Evans
Senator Jacky Rosen (D., Nev.) argued for modifying the filibuster, but against eliminating it entirely, in an interview with the Washington Post published on Wednesday.
Rosen is one of a few Senate Democrats to publicly oppose eliminating the filibuster entirely, along with Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Jon Tester of Montana. While Sinema, for example, has opposed any change to the filibuster, Rosen favors implementing the talking filibuster in which senators would be forced to speak on the floor in order to prevent a bill’s passage.
Manchin flirted briefly with a return to the talking filibuster in March and the idea earned the support of President Joe Biden around the same time, but the West Virginia Democrat ultimately came out against changing the procedure at all after critics on both sides of the aisle pointed out that a recalcitrant minority could stall Biden’s entire agenda through ceaseless talking filibusters.
Rosen was asked by the Post whether her opposition also stems from support for abortion rights. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL have stayed out of the filibuster debate, with some abortion advocates worried that eliminating the filibuster could remove an obstacle for legislation that would limit abortions.
“I will never back down from a woman’s right to choose; I think it’s fundamentally important,” Rosen said. “We have to look at not just when you’re in the majority, but what does it do when you’re in the minority? You have to be mindful of that.”
Rosen said Democrats should be “careful what you wish for” regarding the filibuster.
With the Senate tied 50-50 and Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote, a number of Democrats and progressives have called to eliminate the filibuster in order to pass legislation by a simple majority in the Senate. Progressives have focused ire in particular on Manchin, who has been vocal in his support of the filibuster.
“Joe Manchin is doing everything in his power to stop democracy, and to stop our work for the people,” Representative Jamaal Bowman (D., N.Y.) said on CNN on Monday.