Joe Manchin's opposition to HR1 and eliminating filibuster grounded in process as potentially final Senate campaign looms By Luke Perry & Jordan Conestabile
Senator Joe Manchin (D, WV) recently came out against two heated issues for Democrats, HR 1 and reforming the filibuster. Manchin maintained that the country needs to move forward in a new era of bipartisan politics. Manchin believes there cannot be a stable government without both parties working together rather than purely pursuing party interests.
“The time has come to end political games, and to usher a new era of bipartisanship where we find a common ground on the major policy debates facing our nation.”
Manchin finds himself in the unique position of power being a swing Senator in an evenly divided Senate. His opposition to HR1 stems from the belief that the legislation would fail to restore bipartisan faith in the voting process and assure all votes are counted, secured and protected.
Manchin believes modifying the threshold needed for the passage of legislation to a simple majority would ensure the dominance of partisan agendas and create major policy shifts each time control of U.S. government shifted among parties. Manchin cited the Framers of U.S. government who purposely developed of system of government that protected against absolute power by forcing compromise.
Photo from President Joe Biden
Manchin engendered swift and scathing criticism from the left (examples here, here, and here) for adopting these positions. He is a Democrat from an increasingly Republican state who has sustained electoral success by refusing to consistently follow a partisan agenda.
Manchin was reelected by 3 points in 2018, far less than his 24-point victory in 2012. He may be positioning himself for his final Senate campaign in 2024, at the age of 76, which is poised to be a difficult one. Joe Biden lost West Virginia by nearly 40 points in 2020.
Luke Perry is Professor of Political Science at Utica College
Jordan Conestabile is a Political Science student at Utica College
