Raskin Avoids Stance on Filibuster Amid Shutdown Discussions

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) wasn’t ready to say whether he backs the abolition of the filibuster on Wednesday, even though he had previously supported the idea during President Biden’s term.

During a CNN interview with Dana Bash on Tuesday night, Raskin was questioned about former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on various Republican defeats and the ongoing government shutdown.

Bash pointed out, “One of the things he’s been talking about more passionately in recent days is getting rid of the filibuster. That’s actually something you wanted to do when Joe Biden was president. So does that mean you agree with him on that area?”

In response, Raskin emphasized, “Look, there are no procedural amendments needed at this time.” He continued, pointing to the health care crisis exacerbated by Republican policies, which has led many Americans to face losing their health insurance due to rising costs and the end of ACA tax credits initiated during Trump’s administration.

“We need to restore those credits,” he said. “And while those at the top got a hefty tax cut, millions were turned away from Medicaid when the Affordable Care Act was implemented. That’s why we’re seeing Democrats perform well across the nation.”

When Bash interjected, “You wanted to end the filibuster when Biden was president, and now you want it to end?” Raskin replied, “You know, I’m not a senator, so I don’t have a say in that, right?”

Raskin also stressed the need for Republicans to work collaboratively to reopen the government and reinstate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for many families.

Raskin had shown his support for eliminating the filibuster back in 2021 when Senate Republicans blocked the formation of an independent commission aimed at investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

He described using the filibuster to obscure the truth about January 6 as a “scandalous abuse of power” that warranted an urgent end to the practice.

Though Trump has urged Republicans to abolish the filibuster, Senate Republicans are reportedly not inclined to do so. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted in an interview that there simply weren’t enough votes at the moment to pursue that route.