Thread by @JakeSherman

I have no idea if Ds will blow up the filibuster. But the anti-filibuster crowd has the momentum now (breathe @AJentleson)

We've spent a lot of time over the last few days talking to sources -- & each other -- ab the filibuster. Here are 5 reasons to blow it up & 5 reason not to

Why @SenSchumer should do it:
1) Passing priorities. If Biden & Schumer want to move anything beyond most basic legislation, or to do so without using reconciliation, they need to get rid of the filibuster. Doesnt mean he'll always be successful, but if he leaves it, he'll fail

2) Different pages: There’s very little common ground between the two parties on any issue right now. In the aftermath of the Donald Trump era, hyper-partisanship is the order of the day. The political center is a lonely place. So why bother looking for Rs to work with at all?

3) Democrats are very likely to lose the House in 2022. The president’s party loses an average of 26 seats in the first midterm election. Plus, @SpeakerPelosi is retiring. Push stuff now. This is your chance.

4) Democrats don’t believe there’s any long-term risk for them. In reality, what’s the downside for Democrats here? The American public just wants results, they don’t care about arcane arguments over the sanctity of the filibuster and minority rights. Do it. Now.

5) Schumer’s own politics, both inside caucus and back home. Progressives inside the Senate Democratic Caucus want the filibuster gone and would be overjoyed if Schumer pulled the trigger. And it would take away a talking point from @AOC or any other primary challenger in 22

Why @SenSchumer shouldn't blow it up:

1) This would permanently alter the nature of the Senate. Senate would become more and more like the House, where the majority rules. Filibuster critics would argue that’s a good thing but something very special ab the Senate would be lost

2) @McConnell ain’t playing. McConnell has threatened “to turn the Senate into a sort of nuclear winter” if Democrats go nuclear. In a body that runs by unanimous consent requests and agreements, Rs would object to even trivial actions. Trust McConnell here. he'll make life hard

3) Senate Ds will be back in the minority at some point. Rs will just ram bills down their throats for two straight years, and there’ll be nothing they can do it about. Didn’t Democrats learn the lesson of 13. They got rid of filibuster for noms in 13 and Trump got 3 SC justices

4) Dramatic swings in policy depending on who’s in control. This doesn’t get talked about all that much. Changing presidents, of course, results in big swings in public policies. But changing Senate majorities does too.

5) Tremendous pressure to pass a slew of House bills. Moderate Ds would face intense pressure to sign off on a slew of House-passed legislation. the House is much more progressive than the Senate. The difference isn’t as dramatic as in the past, but it still exists.

Also — this was the second item in @punchbowlnews this morning. So punchbowl.news to subscribe.