Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Mocks Democratic Shift on Filibuster

In a striking turn of events, Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, an independent, publicly criticized her former party, the Democrats, for their newfound embrace of the filibuster. This remark came after Senate Democrats, who had previously called for the abolition of the legislative tool, now favor it in an apparent effort to stymie potential policies from President-elect Trump during his anticipated second administration.

Filibuster Irony: A Tool for Partisan Warfare

On Monday, Sinema took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express her bemusement at the situation, referring to a report by the Washington Examiner, which cited several Democratic senators who were vocal about their support for retaining the filibuster as a strategy to thwart Trump’s legislative agenda.

“Please, please, please stop what you’re doing and read these quotes,” Sinema tweeted, adding a hint of sarcasm with “Filing under: schadenfreude” to underscore the irony of the Democrats’ sudden change in position.

Sinema and Manchin: The Filibuster Defenders

Sen. Sinema, alongside West Virginia’s Joe Manchin—who also became an independent—were notably the last Democrats to oppose the efforts to eliminate the filibuster during the Biden administration. In early 2022, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to abolish this legislative tool but was thwarted by the resistance of Sinema and Manchin, leaving the Democrats with a tenuous 50-50 majority, which they could not solidify without their support.

Both former Democrats are not seeking re-election and plan to leave the Senate come January 2025. Following their departures, this past August, Schumer reflected on the current landscape, stating to the New York Post that “Sinema and Manchin are both gone” in reference to any future attempts to eliminate the filibuster.

Calls for Bipartisanship

After the anticipated change in congressional leadership, Schumer has urged Republicans to prioritize bipartisanship in the next legislative session. He cautioned them not to misinterpret the electorate’s sentiment and emphasized, “Take care not to misread the will of the people, and do not abandon the need for bipartisanship.”

In early October, Sinema reacted sharply to Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s comments about the filibuster. Jayapal suggested she would not support its elimination now with Republicans controlling both legislative chambers and the executive branch, stating she might have favored it had Democrats maintained power. Sinema’s succinct reply on X encapsulated her disbelief: “You don’t say?”

Democratic Senators Shift Stance on Filibuster

The report from the Washington Examiner also included comments from various Democratic senators—including Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)—all aligning in support of maintaining the filibuster as a check against Trump’s legislative ambitions.

Blumenthal expressed the necessity of the filibuster, stating, “I’d be lying if I said we’d be in a better position without the filibuster. We have a responsibility to stop autocratic and long-headed abuse of power or policy, and we’ll use whatever tools we have available.” In a similar vein, Durbin acknowledged that the filibuster would play a critical role in the Democrats’ strategy to resist expected Republican legislation in the upcoming Congress, where Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority.

A Balancing Act: The Filibuster’s Future

Schatz’s perspective on this issue highlighted the delicate balancing act Democrats now face: “I’m going to try not to make a mess of my position on this one.” Critically, he previously condemned the “unprecedented abuse of the filibuster by Republicans” during the Obama years, showcasing the shifting sands of political perspective regarding this legislative mechanism.

Murphy also commented on the evolution of the filibuster’s utility, stating, “You play with the rules that exist,” indicating an openness to potential reforms while resisting the outright removal of the filibuster, which he had described in 2021 as “downright dangerous.” His earlier critiques included insisting that it was a “slap in the face to majoritarianism” and an argument that favors procedural consistency over democratic principles.

Republican Response: Filibuster to Remain

As the political landscape evolves, incoming Senate GOP Leader John Thune of South Dakota stressed that the filibuster would remain intact under Republican governance, even if it obstructs Trump’s agenda. Thune found irony in the Democrats’ current stance, remarking, “I find it ironic that a party that has spent a fair amount of time this election cycle talking about the importance of preserving our democracy seems intent on embracing the thoroughly undemocratic notion that only one party should be making decisions in this country.”

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Senate Dynamics

As Senators Sinema and Manchin prepare to exit the stage, the dynamics surrounding the filibuster are at a crossroads. The Democratic Party’s shift towards supporting a legislative tool they once sought to dismantle reflects the volatility and complexity of current American politics. With GOP control anticipated, the question remains: will these changes usher in a new era of bipartisanship, or will they further entrench party divisions?