BREAKING: McConnell Caves, Will Yield to Schumer [Updated]

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Jan 25, 2021 6:31pm PST by Dan K, Community

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I was watching Rachel’s taped interview with Chuck Schumer, and she asked him what he would do if McConnell refused to yield on the fillibuster. Schumer just smiled and he said was prepared to deal with that, and that his caucus was united in its anger at McConnell, but he wouldn’t say what he had in mind.Whatever it was, it worked. At the break, Rachel announced that McConnell had yielded and Schumer had won.Details to follow.More details coming in.McConnell: Power-sharing deal can proceed after Manchin, Sinema back filibuster

"Today two Democratic Senators publicly confirmed they will not vote to end the legislative filibuster. They agree with President Biden's and my view that no Senate majority should destroy the right of future minorities of both parties to help shape legislation," McConnell said in a statement.

"The legislative filibuster was a key part of the foundation beneath the Senate's last 50-50 power-sharing agreement in 2001. With these assurances, I look forward to moving ahead with a power-sharing agreement modeled on that precedent," McConnell added.

This reads like a face-saving move. Schumer’s offer hadn’t changed — we do it the way we did it in 2001. Manchin and Sinema hadn’t changed their positions either. Something else happened.

Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021 · 2:58:45 AM +00:00 · Dan K

The Hill: Schumer declares victory:

McConnell: Power-sharing deal can proceed after Manchin, Sinema back filibuster

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) immediately declared victory.

“We’re glad Senator McConnell threw in the towel and gave up on his ridiculous demand. We look forward to organizing the Senate under Democratic control and start getting big, bold things done for the American people," said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer.

It does appear the Manchin and Sinema’s insistence that they would protect the fillibuster that is at least the surface reason that McConnell caved. But again, I think there is more to it that we haven’t heard yet. As some have commented below, it’s possible that if the Republicans use the fillibuster to screw with their bills, they’ll kill it.

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