On April 7, 2017, when the Republicans controlled Congress, a bill was submitted to end the filibuster. Thirty-three Democrats and 28 Republicans signed a letter in support of retaining the filibuster, since they wished to “preserve existing rules, practices and traditions as they pertain to the right of members to engage in extended debate on legislation before the United States Senate.” Two of those signers were our own so-called “independent” senator, Angus King, and now-vice president, then-Sen. Kamala Harris, among many Democrats still in the Senate.
It is interesting that the Democrats supported the filibuster when the Senate was under Republican control. Sen. Mitch McConnell said on March 16, 2021, “Under pressure from the outside, many of our Democratic colleagues are abandoning their stated principles as fast as possible.”
It should noted that the majority of Republicans supported the filibuster when either party was in control because it preserves the checks and balances that are best for the country.
The hypocrisy shown by the changing support by the Democrats is stunning. Please remember this on Election Day.
Alan Hickey
Yarmouth
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