Overview

• Kyrsten Sinema, now an independent, called out Democrats for using the filibuster to block a GOP-backed government funding bill despite previously advocating for its abolition.
• Sinema highlighted past criticisms from figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, who had called for the filibuster's removal but supported its use in this week's debate.
• The filibuster, a Senate rule requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation, became a focal point as Democrats sought to prevent the GOP from passing a continuing resolution to fund the government.
• Sinema accused Democrats of inconsistency, pointing to votes and statements from lawmakers who had previously condemned the filibuster as undemocratic.
• This debate comes after years of Democratic efforts to eliminate the filibuster during their push for key policies like voting rights and abortion protections.