Democrat Charles Schumer: Eliminating Filibuster Not ‘Off The Table’ If Biden Wins, We Control Senate

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) said during an interview this week that eliminating the filibuster was not “off the table” if Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden wins and Democrats take control of the Senate.

Schumer was asked about the filibuster after former President Barack Obama said last month, “And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster — another Jim Crow relic — in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then that’s what we should do.”“We have a moral imperative to the people of America to get a whole lot done if we get the majority, which, God willing, we will, and keep it in the House, and Biden becomes president, and nothing is off the table,” Schumer said.

“We will do what it takes to get this done,” Schumer continued. “I’m hopeful, maybe if Trump goes and McConnell is no longer leader, some Republicans might work with us. But we’re going to have to get it done, whether they work with us or not.”

Democrats eliminated the filibuster for most nominations in 2013, under Obama, which has benefited the Trump administration as it has re-shaped the federal courts.

The Hill reported:

Supporters of getting rid of the procedure – which would likely be lowered to a simple majority – argue that without the change, major parts of the Democratic agenda from health care to combating climate change and structural reforms would hit a buzz saw in the Senate because Republicans could filibuster any piece of legislation, requiring that it overcome the 60-vote hurdle to move forward.

Both Schumer and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Schumer’s No. 2, indicated last year that they were open to the idea, though Schumer – expected to be the majority leader if Democrats get control in November – has said the focus should first be on winning back the Senate.

Republicans currently control the Senate with a 53-47 majority.