Joe Manchin says he will not support Harris because he supports abolishing the filibuster tactic

Democratic renegade Senator Joe Manchin (IW.Va.) said he would not support Vice President Harris in the presidential election after she expressed support for eliminating the filibuster tactic in passing abortion laws.

Harris, herself a former senator, said Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) on Tuesday: “I think we should do away with the filibuster tactic for Roe.”

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U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) talks with reporters as he leaves the Senate chamber following a vote on January 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Manchin told Fox News, “I don't support it,” stressing the importance of the legal hurdle.

“I have made it very, very, very clear that I am convinced that this delicate path is not to be taken just for one reason,” he said.

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Harris said she supports eliminating the filibuster tactic to pass abortion protections. (Jemal Countess)

Manchin has devoted his last years to protecting the filibuster, which prevents most measures from reaching a vote unless they can clear a procedural hurdle by 60 votes. He has previously called it crucial to democracy and said if Democrats succeed in abolishing it, it would be “the saddest day in the history of the United States of America.”

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Sinema and Manchin are credited with maintaining the filibuster tactic. (Getty Images)

The West Virginia senator and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona), who both decided not to seek re-election, were largely credited with preventing Democrats from breaking the filibuster tactic with their narrow majority in 2021. Both senators subsequently left the Democratic Party and registered as independents, although they still caucus with Democrats in the Senate.

Schumer did not comment on the issue. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

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In a statement released Tuesday, Manchin said, “This hurdle stabilizes our democracy, promotes bipartisan cooperation, and protects our nation from partisan whiplash and dysfunction. I have always said, 'If you can't change your mind, you can't change anything,' and I am confident the Vice President remains prepared to do just that.”

Manchin also told Fox News that he would not support former President Trump in the election either. “I'm not supporting anyone,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., avoided interjection during the Democratic leadership press conference, telling reporters, “This is something our caucus will discuss in the next session of Congress.”

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