Biden just announced he would support killing the filibuster to get voting rights passed – 'and maybe more'

Biden just announced he would support killing the filibuster to get voting rights passed – 'and maybe more'
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Vice President Joe Biden salutes Airmen from Langley here Feb. 6. The vice president stopped by Langley on his way to a conference in Williamsburg, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Vernon Young)
Democratic strategist lays out 5 ‘tipping points’ that could help Biden defeat Trump in November
David Badash
and
The New Civil Rights Movement
October 22, 2021Push Notification

President Joe Biden just made big news – and made a lot of Democrats happy.

Up until now he has strongly opposed killing the filibuster, an antiquated, undemocratic Jim Crow relic.

But at a CNN town hall Thursday night President Biden suggested he would support eliminating the filibuster to pass crucial voting rights legislation, the Freedom to Vote Act.

"When it comes to voting rights," host Anderson Cooper stopped to confirm what the President had said, "just so I'm clear, though, you would entertain the notion of doing away with the filibuster on that one issue, is that correct?"

"And maybe more," President Biden teased, to applause.

This new position comes just one day after Republicans for the third time blocked debate on the Freedom to Vote Act, with not a single member of the Senate GOP caucus will to even allow a discussion on the legislation that would protect the right to vote.

President Biden suggested he would be unable to pass his Build Back Better agenda if he agreed to "straight up" end the filibuster, saying he would lose three Democratic votes in the Senate if he did. But after that passes, he made clear, the voting rights bill will be his focus and he would be support eliminating the filibuster to get it passed.

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change.

From Your Site Articles
Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access , or click here to become a subscriber . Thank you.

Click to donate by check .

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2024 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.