President Biden said on Thursday that Congress must move to codify Roe v. Wade to guarantee the Constitutional right to an abortion —and he wants a filibuster exception to do it.
“I believe we have to codify Roe v. Wade into law. And the way to do that is to make sure Congress votes to do that,” Biden told reporters in Spain. “And if the filibuster gets in the way — like voting rights — we provide an exception for this. We require an exception of the filibuster for this action.”
According to CNBC, “the president is scheduled to meet with state governors on Friday to discuss what they can do until federal Democrats cement their response. Echoing the belief held by many Democrats, Biden added that the court’s reversal ‘is a serious, serious problem the Supreme Court has thrust upon the United States.’”
“I’m going to do everything in my power I legally can do in terms of protecting abortion, as well as pushing Congress and the public,” he said.
Biden’s plea for a filibuster exception isn’t likely to change the minds of Democrat Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) who adamantly oppose ending the filibuster.
Manchin released the following statement in November of last year [excerpts].
The filibuster plays an important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate. Contrary to what some have said – protecting the role of the minority, Democrat or Republican, has protected us from the volatile political swings we have endured over the last 233 years. The role of the minority is what ensures the policies of our nation have input from all corners of the country. We must never forget that the Senate governs for all 50 states, not just red or blue states.
For those who believe that bipartisanship is impossible, we have proven them wrong. Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside. It is time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time and deliver on the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all Americans.
Here’s Sinema in January of this year:
“When one party need only negotiate with itself, policy will inextricably be pushed from the middle towards the extremes.”
Sounds like Joe will have a rough go if he wants to tear down the filibuster.
BREAKING: Biden calls on Congress to ease Senate rules to codify Roe v. Wade https://t.co/HvXU4Ug9dm
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) June 30, 2022
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