Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., told Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., she opposes eliminating the legislative filibuster, The Hill reported.
"Our colleague informed me directly last night that under no circumstances would she reverse course," McConnell told reporters Tuesday.
The filibuster places a 60-vote procedural hurdle in the way of bills passing through the upper chamber. Without it, Democrats would be able to pass their legislative priorities with a simple majority.
McConnell, R-Ky., on Monday dropped his demand Democrats maintain the filibuster in a Senate-sharing agreement, saying Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., reaffirmed their opposition to scrapping the procedural tool.
"Today, two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster," McConnell said in a statement. "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."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had refused to make a commitment that would tie Democrats' hands.
"We're glad Sen. McConnell threw in the towel and gave up on his ridiculous demand," Justin Goodman, a spokesperson for Schumer, said in a statement. "We look forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and start getting big, bold things done for the American people."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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