Staff Reports
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema might be on her political way out, but her unwavering support for the filibuster hasn’t gone unnoticed— especially as Democrats continue to whip themselves into a frenzy trying to abolish it. Throughout the tumultuous 117th Congress, while left-wing radicals devised plans to shove pro-abortion laws down the nation’s throat and overhaul elections on a federal level, Sinema and fellow retiring senator Joe Manchin stood as the last bastion of hope for those who actually value democratic processes. It’s not just Senate Democrats who want to see the filibuster dismantled; even the most radical elements of the House, including Pramila Jayapal, have jumped on the anti-filibuster bandwagon.
This week, Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, held a press conference that was not just about introducing new members, but also a desperate lament over the previous week’s elections, which saw Republicans securing control of the Senate and a President-elect who’s got the left in an absolute tizzy. Apparently, losing control means the Democrats must rethink their entire strategy, which, judging by Jayapal’s comments, is a fleeting notion, given they still cling to their radical desires.
Kyrsten Sinema Has Some Words for Pramila Jayapal on Stating the Obvious About the Filibuster https://t.co/NJw38h9O8e
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) November 14, 2024
In an amusing twist, Jayapal was confronted by a reporter who questioned the inconsistency of her anti-filibuster stance while her party is in the minority. Her response was a cringe-worthy admission: she would have supported scrapping the filibuster if her party had secured the trifecta. Apparently, it’s all about power for her, not principles. She stated that if Democrats had control, they could have shown the American people that government could actually deliver—because what better way to gain trust than by bulldozing through laws without proper debate?
Jayapal’s view that people voting on state ballot initiatives reflect a failure of government rather than a triumph of local governance is utterly tone-deaf. It seems she yearns for the days when the federal government wielded more power than local communities, rather than recognizing that folks may prefer state-based solutions over a Washington, D.C. bureaucracy that often doesn’t know its head from its heel. When she talks about the need to “rebuild the party,” it seems more focused on unrestrained power than genuine reform or improvement.
The revelation that Jayapal would have been on board with eliminating the filibuster had Democrats held the reins raises significant questions about her grasp of the political process. Sinema, seasoned by experience, tweeted a lighthearted jab that really encapsulated the situation: “You don’t say.” It’s plain as day that Democrats are quick to abandon principles when it suits their interests, and there’s nothing quite as hypocritical as a party that cries “democracy” until it loses control.
While Democrats kick and scream about the filibuster, one must wonder why House members feel the need to weigh in on what is fundamentally a Senate issue. The filibuster has roots that trace back to an era when senators weren’t even elected by the public—thanks to the 17th Amendment, they now face scrutiny from voters. Had Democrats maintained their hold in the Senate, the filibuster could have disappeared overnight, paving the way for a slew of progressive policies that could completely transform America as we know it for the worse.
Republicans have successfully maintained control, with Sen. John Thune stepping up as the new Republican leader. Under his leadership, the filibuster is set to remain intact. While Sinema supports protecting the filibuster, it will be amusing to watch Jayapal and her cohorts return to their cozy complaining about it, now that the pendulum has swung in favor of the GOP. With Democrats scrambling to find their footing post-election, one thing appears certain: their battles with the filibuster are far from over, and the comedy of errors that follows will be worth watching.
