Democrats and the “filibuster”: hypocrisy?

Do you remember the time not so long ago when the most progressive Democrats, inside and outside the Senate, raged against Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who refused to suspend or eliminate the filibuster ? This archaic rule of parliamentary obstruction, it should be remembered, allows a minority of 41 senators out of 100 to block most bills. Well, these same Democrats, who will be in the minority in the upper house of Congress from January, are happy today that this rule still exists and intend to use it to block as many Republican initiatives as possible.

“I would be lying if I said we would be in a better position without it. filibuster “, declared to Washington Examiner Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. “We have a responsibility to combat abuse of power or autocratic policies, and we will use every tool at our disposal. We are not going to fight this battle with one hand tied behind our back. »

“You play by the existing rules,” added his fellow Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy.

Republicans are quick to accuse Democrats of hypocrisy.

“Democrats continue to talk out of both sides of their mouths, and we’re seeing that again today,” said Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso. “They all campaigned to eliminate the filibuster, and now they’re scared to death of it. »

But who can guarantee that Donald Trump will not exert pressure on the new Republican majority to eliminate the parliamentary obstruction itself and thus facilitate the adoption of its programs.

The next Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, said he has no plans to eliminate the filibustereven if Trump asks for it. Whoever lives will see. In the meantime, Sinema does not hesitate to make fun of her former Democratic colleagues:

(Photos AP)