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McConnell Threatens Senate Agreement Over Filibuster

Senate minority leader says GOP may oppose Biden initiatives
McConnell, Schumer negotiating power-sharing arrangement

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center
Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg

By

Steven T. Dennis

January 21, 2021, 6:53 PM UTCUpdated onJanuary 21, 2021, 9:27 PM UTC

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell threatened Thursday to delay an agreement on organizing the Senate unless Democrats commit to keeping the filibuster rule intact.

In remarks on the Senate floor, McConnell said GOP senators were prepared to push back against many of President Joe Biden’s priorities and blasted the president’s executive orders on immigration, energy and climate. He also said Democrats should commit to keeping the filibuster, a procedure that means most legislation needs 60 votes to pass.