Manchin opposes Harris's call to remove filibuster for abortion legislation

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Vice President Kamala Harris has faced opposition from Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) following her proposal to create a filibuster carve-out for passing abortion legislation. Harris, in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, expressed support for eliminating the filibuster to restore federal abortion rights that were once protected by the now-overturned Roe v. Wade decision.

Manchin, who has been a strong advocate for maintaining the filibuster, voiced his disapproval of Harris's stance during an interview with CNN. He described the filibuster as essential to democracy, stating, “It’s the only thing that keeps us talking and working together. If she gets rid of that, then this would be the House on steroids.”

When asked whether he would support Harris's potential presidential bid, Manchin made it clear that her position on the filibuster had changed his mind. He stated, “That ain’t going to happen. I think that basically can destroy our country, and my country is more important to me than any one person or any one person’s ideology.”

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) also criticized Harris’s proposal. Sinema, a staunch supporter of preserving the filibuster, called the idea “absolutely terrible” and warned that it could lead to a nationwide abortion ban in the future.

Both Manchin and Sinema have recently left the Democratic Party and declared themselves independents. Neither senator is seeking reelection to their current Senate seats.