Sen. Joe Manchin will vote “yes” on advancing a controversial piece of voting reform legislation on Tuesday, though he doesn’t support the underlying legislation, in a deal he reached with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., so all 50 Democrats will be united.
Still, the support from the moderate West Virginia Democrat won’t be enough for the “For the People Act” to clear a critical procedural hurdle Tuesday because Republicans are filibustering the sweeping election legislation that requires 60 votes to advance.
“I’m pleased to report that Senator Manchin and I have come to an agreement on this,” Schumer announced during a news conference Tuesday before the vote. “He came to my office about two hours ago, and we worked it out.”
SENATE REPUBLICANS POISED TO BLOCK DEMOCRATS’ SWEEPING ELECTION REFORM BILL
In return, Schumer agreed to allow Manchin’s compromise legislation to come up for a vote if Republicans didn’t filibuster and debate were to proceed.