Former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) on Sunday called on Senate Democrats to "stand up" against Republican efforts to eliminate the filibuster, arguing that doing so would "kill the soul" of the Senate and erode legislative stability.
The filibuster, a procedural rule unique to the Senate for more than 200 years, requires 60 votes to invoke cloture and end debate. With neither party holding 60 seats in the current Senate, the threshold has become a central point of contention as Republicans advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act.
Manchin appeared on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday" to make his case, urging Democrats to sign a pledge committing they will not vote to eliminate the filibuster under any circumstances.
"I've always been independent. But now, stand up. You need at least 10 or at least five Democrats right now to sign a pledge that we will not, absolutely under no way, shape or form, will we vote to get rid [of the filibuster]," Manchin said during the interview.
The former West Virginia senator argued that eliminating the filibuster would transform the Senate into what he called a "flip-flop glorified House" that changes direction every two years based on which party controls the majority.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and good-government advocates have increasingly supported reforming or eliminating the filibuster, arguing it has been used to block major legislation and civil rights protections. However, Manchin's call to preserve the 60-vote threshold has found some resonance among more centrist Democrats who share his concern about legislative instability.
Manchin's position aligns with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senior Democrats who have defended the filibuster as essential to the Senate's deliberative character. The former senator's argument that eliminating the filibuster would harm the government's global reputation echoes concerns raised by international observers about American institutional stability.
Some progressive activists have criticized the filibuster as undemocratic, noting it allows a minority of 41 senators to block legislation supported by a majority. But Manchin's emphasis on protecting minority rights in the Senate has struck a chord with Democrats wary of a future Republican majority wielding similar power without constraints.
What the Right Is Saying
Senate Republicans have intensified their push to pass the SAVE America Act, with House Republicans urging their Senate counterparts to use a "talking filibuster" strategy that would force Democrats to hold the floor physically to block the legislation.
Conservative commentators have argued that the filibuster has been weaponized by Democrats to block Republican priorities, and some GOP senators have called for its elimination or significant modification. The current push comes ahead of midterm elections where Republicans see the voting eligibility measure as a priority.
Supporters of changing the filibuster argue that the 60-vote threshold undermines democratic accountability by allowing a minority to block bills passed by the majority. They note that the filibuster is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution and has been modified numerous times throughout American history.
Some Republican strategists have suggested that eliminating the filibuster would allow for more dynamic policy shifts, enabling the majority party to implement its agenda more efficiently. The debate has intensified as both parties consider how future control of the Senate might affect their legislative capabilities.
What the Numbers Show
The current Senate composition is 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and 2 independents (including Manchin). To invoke cloture on most legislation, 60 votes are required, meaning neither party can overcome a filibuster without significant crossover support.
The Senate has used the filibuster over 2,100 times in the current Congress, according to tracking by Congress.gov. This represents a significant increase from previous decades and reflects heightened partisan polarization.
The SAVE America Act, if passed, would require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. The bill passed the House and awaits Senate action, where it would face a potential filibuster.
Manchin served as a Democrat-turned-independent and was frequently a decisive vote during his time in the Senate, often aligning with Republicans on key procedural matters. His current stance places him alongside many sitting Democrats in defending the filibuster's role.
The Bottom Line
Manchin's public advocacy for preserving the filibuster comes as Senate Republicans push forward with legislation that has sparked debate about voting rights and electoral integrity. His call for Democrats to pledge against eliminating the filibuster highlights ongoing tensions within the Senate about the chamber's procedural rules.
The debate over the filibuster remains central to legislative strategy in Congress, with both parties weighing the implications of changing or maintaining the 60-vote threshold. As the SAVE America Act moves forward, expect the filibuster to remain a key point of contention in Senate negotiations.