The key to a radical agenda: Chuck Schumer’s potential elimination of the filibuster

Chuck Schumer is doing us a favor. 

Oftentimes, parties try to obscure or deny their radical plans before an election, but the Senate majority leader is being more candid. 

In a session with reporters at the Democratic National Convention, Schumer suggested that — should Democrats win the White House, Senate and House in November — he would seek to end the filibuster for purposes of passing voting rights and abortion legislation. 

This would be a significant turning point in American government. 

There’s no partial dismantling of the legislative filibuster. 

The circumvention of the Senate’s longstanding requirement for 60 votes to pass nonfiscal legislation might start with voting rights and abortion, but it wouldn’t stop there. 

If a nation-wide imposition of abortion on demand can pass with 51 votes, why can’t Medicare for All or the Green New Deal?

Schumer already expresses his desire for another major climate bill, disregarding any criticisms about the national debt. 

Entrenched in personal agendas 

Once the legislative filibuster is significantly breached, any group of Democrat senators pushing for a specific bill would demand that their own cause receives special treatment as well. 

Left-wing interest groups would also demand equal consideration — if Planned Parenthood gets special treatment for national abortion legislation, why wouldn’t other interest groups for their priorities? 

The desire for more grows as advancements are made. 

Anything Democrats desire, but is currently unattainable due to the lack of 60 votes or bipartisan support, would become achievable, from comprehensive immigration reform to national gun control. 

Joe Biden’s executive actions that have been rejected by the courts, including his student debt relief plan, would be revived and pushed through Congress. 

A filibuster-free Democratic majority in Washington could significantly change the political landscape in their favor.

They could implement “court reform” to potentially alter the balance of the Supreme Court and make Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, states to increase electoral votes and Senate representation for the Democratic party. 

The nature of the filibuster has evolved over time, but it is a practice that has been integral to the Senate since its inception. 

The filibuster’s role in making it challenging to pass significant legislation based on temporary majorities aligns with America’s constitutional structure, which is exactly why progressives dislike it now (despite using it themselves during the Trump administration). 

Schumer’s threat is not idle.

His Senate majority already attempted to eliminate the filibuster in the name of “voting rights” in 2022.

The only opposing Democrats were West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin III and Arizona Sen. Kristen Sinema, who are no longer part of the Democratic Party and will be leaving the Senate. 

Moderate Democrats Quiet 

It is possible that other Senate Democrats privately believe it would be a mistake to abolish the filibuster, but they are unlikely to voice their opinions.

The pressure and attacks Manchin and Sinema faced were apparent to all. 

As for potential new Democratic senators after the November election, they have all been against the filibuster, and there are no moderates like Manchin or Sinema on the horizon. 

If Schumer succeeds, the essence of the Senate would undergo a significant transformation to enable changes in other areas.

This would be a blatant power move.

It would disregard norms and concentrate power in Washington in an unprecedented manner to further progressive goals. 

The only positive aspect is that we have been forewarned.