“The American People Chose an Evenly-Split Senate”
‘Leading Democrats like President Biden himself have long defended [the legislative filibuster]. Democrats just spent six years using it liberally to block bills from Senator Tim Scott’s police reform to coronavirus relief. And less than four years ago, when it was Republicans who held the Senate, the House, and the presidency, 27 current Senate Democrats plus Vice President Harris signed a letter insisting this long-standing rule should not be broken.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senate control:
“For this 117th Congress, the American people chose an evenly-split Senate. Fifty Republicans and fifty Democrats.
“With the election of Vice President Harris, that means the Democratic Leader will act as Majority Leader.
“I want to congratulate my colleague from New York.
“His pride and emotion were palpable yesterday as this self-described ‘kid from Brooklyn [and] son of an exterminator and a housewife’ became the first Jewish member of Congress to lead either chamber. An historic milestone.
“Now, the Senate’s handled an even split before. Twenty years ago, faced with the same scenario, the two Leaders brokered a power-sharing agreement so the institution could function smoothly.
“The Democratic Leader and I are discussing a similar agreement now.
“I’ve been heartened to hear my colleague say he wants the same rules from the 2000s to apply today. Because certainly 20 years ago there was no talk of tearing down long-standing minority rights on legislation.
“The legislative filibuster is a crucial part of the Senate. Leading Democrats like President Biden himself have long defended it.
“Democrats themselves just spent six years using it liberally to block bills from Senator Tim Scott’s police reform to coronavirus relief.
“And less than four years ago, when it was Republicans who held the Senate, the House, and the presidency, twenty-seven current Senate Democrats plus Vice President Harris signed a letter insisting this long-standing rule should not be broken.
“So if the talk of unity and common ground is to have meaning… And certainly if the rules from 20 years ago are to be our guide…Then I cannot imagine the Democratic Leader would rather hold up the power-sharing agreement than simply reaffirm that his side won’t be breaking this standing rule of the Senate.
“I appreciate our ongoing, good-faith discussions and look forward to finding the solution together.
Related Issues: Senate Democrats
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