Former Sen. Joe Lieberman believes the removal of the legislative filibuster, a move some Congress Democrats support, will ultimately “not be good for our country.” The former senator, who was an Al Gore fellow in office in 2000, said Democrats should avoid the “strong temptation” to take that step.
“In the Senate, the 60-vote requirement is a major incentive for people from both parties to come together to do something, because rarely does a party have 60 votes,” Lieberman said in an interview with the correspondent of Washington from CBS News. Major Garrett for this week’s episode of the podcast “The Takeout.”
Highlights of this week’s episode:
- Former Senator Joe Lieberman on the importance of the filibuster: “In the Senate, the 60-vote requirement is a major incentive for people from both parties to come together to do something, because rarely does a party have 60 votes.”
- Provision in the Biden coronavirus relief bill to increase the minimum wage: I think if something so controversial is repeated, it will create a problem for the remaining two years and make it difficult for Congress and President Biden to do many of the things that really need to be done. “
- Constitutionality of the trial of the removal of former President Trump: “I think the House was right to accuse President Trump and I think it’s right for the Senate to hold a trial.”
- Censorship resolution against Trump: “I think the trial should be held, and if there are not enough votes for the conviction when it ends, I think there should be a bipartisan statement of censure from President Trump for his behavior with respect to the election. “.
Democrats currently have a 50-seat majority in the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting any tiebreaker vote. If Democrats eliminated the filibuster, it would allow legislation to move forward with a simple 51-vote majority instead of reaching a 60-vote threshold, meaning Democrats could pass legislation without any Republican support. However, at least two Democrats – Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – have expressed opposition to ending the filibuster.
“I’m glad it looks like now the Senate won’t vote to end the filibuster. I think President Biden and members of the Senate should have that pressure to commit, to come to the center to do some things.” Lieberman said. Lieberman, who served with President Biden in the Senate for two decades, argued that the president is “basically a center-left Democrat” who will be able to negotiate with Republicans.
He also warned that the budget reconciliation process would not be used to approve Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. The use of budget conciliation allows the Senate to advance budget-related legislation by a simple majority, compared to 60 votes.
“Excessive use of reconciliation could be made,” Lieberman said. “This is not really a path to follow if it can be avoided.”
And he would oppose breaking the rules of budget conciliation to approve the proposal, which includes a provision that raises the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour.
“I wouldn’t dare raise the minimum wage,” Lieberman said. “I think if something so controversial is repeated, it will create a problem for the remaining two years and make it difficult for Congress and President Biden to do many things that really need to be done.”
Lieberman also discussed the upcoming impeachment trial against former President Trump. Although Mr. Trump is no longer in office, Lieberman agreed that a trial should be held to hold Mr. Trump accountable.
“I think the House was right to accuse President Trump, and I think it’s right for the Senate to hold a trial,” Lieberman said. He added that he supports the idea of passing a censorship resolution against Trump as a “bipartisan and unifying statement against his behavior.”
“I think a trial should be held, and if there aren’t enough votes for the conviction when it’s over, I think there should be a bipartisan statement of censure from President Trump for his behavior with respect to the election.” said Lieberman. .
For more Major conversation with Lieberman, download the podcast “The Takeout” on Art19, iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify and Stitcher. There are new episodes available every Friday morning. Also, you can watch “The Takeout” on CBSN on Friday at 5pm, 9pm and 12pm ET and Saturday at 1pm, 9pm and 12pm ET. For a complete archive of episodes of “The Takeout,” visit www.takeoutpodcast.com. And you can hear “The Takeout” on some CBS News Radio affiliates (check out your local tabs).
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