Dear Editor,
The American Rescue Plan became law in March, with only 50 votes in the United States Senate. Not one of the 50 Republican Senators voted for it. That didn’t stop elected Republicans all over the country from claiming credit for the $1,400 direct payment checks, and extra help for parents, small businesses, cities and states to cover costs from the pandemic. Unfortunately, most legislation needs 60 out of 100 votes to pass the Senate. This is called the filibuster. It’s supposed to keep the Senate bipartisan. It sounds reasonable. If you need 10 votes from the other party, you will make some compromises, right? The filibuster doesn’t work like that any more. Many (or at least some), Republican Senators might be willing to vote for Democratic legislation if it will help their constituents. But they aren’t really free to follow their hearts. They risk being challenged in their primary, left without enough money for their reelection, or maybe worst of all, mocked and scorned by the previous President. Apparently, the stakes are too high for most Senators to go against the system. The Republican leader in the Senate has said he is “100% focused” on stopping the Biden Administration. Even though he leads the minority party, he can stop almost any action, even if it is overwhelmingly popular with the people. That’s why we may never get to the bottom of the events of January 6th. Only 6 Republican Senators (not 10), were willing to vote against the wishes of Senator McConnell. Incredibly, we won’t have a bipartisan investigation into the most violent rebellion ever against the United States Capitol. Our country is becoming less democratic. Our laws are becoming less true to what “we the people” want. The new voting restrictions being passed by Republican legislatures all over the country are making the problem worse, not better. Many eyes are on Senator Manchin. He could follow Senator Robert Byrd in leading the effort to make the Senate work for the people. Fair rules and honest debate should be the way to win in the Senate He should support ending the filibuster—a rule that no longer achieves its goal. Also, pease get vaccinated if you haven’t yet. 595,000 American deaths is enough.
Sincerely,
Mimi Kibler
Parsons, WV