Overview

• Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her support for ending the Senate filibuster to pass federal legislation protecting abortion rights, specifically to codify Roe v. Wade.
• Sen. Joe Manchin criticized Harris's position, calling the filibuster the 'Holy Grail of democracy' and refusing to endorse her presidential candidacy.
• The filibuster, not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, requires a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate to pass most legislation, often blocking major reforms.
• Proponents of ending the filibuster argue it has historically been used to stifle pro-democracy reforms and maintain minority rule in the Senate.
• Critics warn that eliminating the filibuster could lead to extreme legislative swings depending on which party holds the majority, impacting long-term policy stability.