In interview, Manchin is emphatic: there’s no circumstance he would vote to gut filibuster. he pledges to McConnell he “will not” vote to blow it up over the next two years
“I hope with that guarantee in place he will work in a much more amicable way.”
Some Democrats say if Republicans block Democrats’ priorities, it’s worth preserving the ability to change the rules later. Asked if there is any scenario that would change his mind, he replied: “None whatsoever that I will vote to get rid of the filibuster.”
“I'm in the same place I've always been. Busting the filibuster under any conditions is wrong. We can organize the Senate. I’m sure we can work through that. If he knows as strongly as I feel about it?” Manchin said of McConnell.
Manchin says he hopes this helps Schumer and McConnell get an organizing resolution. He’s in line to be Energy chairman
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@marianne_levine@meridithmcgraw Brian Jack, Trump’s former political director, quietly informed Senate Rs over the weekend that the 3rd-party thing is bunk.
Tump may play in primaries against those who convict them
More Cramer: “The Republican Party is still overwhelmingly supportive of this president.”
@marianne_levine@meridithmcgraw Almost no Senate Rs defending Trump. Tremendous contrast from last year's impeachment trial.
Braun, Barrasso indicate they won't hustle to cameras to defend Trump. Even Hawley says "The ex-president's rhetoric on the day was inflammatory. I think it was irresponsible."
@lbarronlopez Collins concerned some families earning $300K can get checks
“That was a general issue that was expressed around a number of things: The more targeted the assistance can be where it's needed most, the more helpful,” said Sen. Shaheen.
@lbarronlopez The $1.9 trillion topline number is an issue too.
“This isn’t monopoly money,” says Sen. King
"administration clearly is very eager to move very quickly. And we want to make sure that there is justification, especially since there's so much money remaining," Sen. Collins adds
Schumer says impeachment trial will start in two weeks, as requested by McConnell and supported by Biden.
This also helps Biden's Cabinet. He locks in Yellen's confirmation vote for Monday
Impeachment schedule:
Jan. 25: Exhibition of article
Jan. 26: Swearing in of senators, issuance of summons
Feb. 2: President’s answer to article, House’s pre-trial brief
Feb. 8: President’s pre-trial brief
Feb. 9: Due date for House’s pre-trial rebuttal brief ... trial begins
Technically this is a few days before McConnell requested, so he gave a little bit here. Nevertheless he's happy
"This is a win for due process and fairness," says @DougAndres
Senate GOP campaign chair Rick Scott says he’ll protect Republican incumbents from challenges, even if it’s Ivanka vs. Rubio or a Trump-backed challenge to Thune. Story soon
“I’m supporting the incumbents,” Scott said. He has no insight into Ivanka v. Rubio
“Nobody has talked to me about it at all. Nobody. I’ve tried to call around. Nobody’s said anything about Florida,” Scott said.
Scott said he did not regret his vote objecting to Pa. Electoral College results and that it hasn't hurt fundraising. Here's what he said about Rs that might convict Trump
“Everybody will have to decide on their own. I think we ought to focus on where we’re going, not the past"
Warnock, Ossoff and Padilla are headed up to the Senate to be sworn in and give Dems the majority
Big round of applause for Harris when she arrives to preside over the Senate as vice president. She's swearing in Padillia now to take her old seat, which she finds hilarious
"Very weird," she says after long laugh.
Ossoff, Warnock and Padilla are sworn in. Schumer is majority leader
!!!! Sen. Murray, No. 3 Senate Democrat: "Any Senator who stands up and supports the power of force over the power of democracy has broken their oath of office. Senators Hawley and Cruz should resign.”
from the release: Muray "issued the following statement calling for the resignation of Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), who like the President, incited and supported the violent mob that attacked the Capitol during the certification of the 2020 election."
Cruz spox responds: “Cruz has always condemned political violence of all kinds, unlike Sen. Murray, who this summer defended what she called a ‘vital’ and ‘legitimate’ insurrection in her home state that resulted in four shootings, two deaths, multiple alleged sexual assaults”