In a revealing moment following the 2024 election results, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chair of the Progressive Caucus, laid bare the calculated approach her party might take regarding the Senate filibuster. Speaking at a press conference, Jayapal explained that while she had been a staunch advocate for abolishing the filibuster when Democrats held a trifecta in government, she’s no longer pushing for its elimination now that Republicans have seized control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
Jayapal acknowledged the change in position, stating, “Am I championing getting rid of the filibuster now when the Senate has the trifecta? No.” In her view, the filibuster stood as a barrier to enacting key policies like minimum wage increases and paid sick leave when Democrats controlled both the Senate and the House but failed to move such bills past the Senate due to filibuster rules.
“If we had had control of the trifecta and gotten rid of the filibuster to pass minimum wage, to pass paid sick leave, to pass many of these things that are passing – abortion access – that are passing on ballot measures that are so popular … then I think we would have built some trust with the American people,” Jayapal added. Her comments suggest that, for many progressive leaders, the utility of the filibuster may simply hinge on whether it blocks or advances their agenda at any given time.
The filibuster was originally created *by mistake* in 1806. Every day we don’t abolish it is just as big a mistake.
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) September 24, 2024
Jayapal also pointed out that Republicans have occasionally bypassed the filibuster, noting that the GOP employed a procedural maneuver called reconciliation to pass tax cuts during the Trump administration. Reconciliation, however, is limited strictly to budget-related issues, such as taxes and spending, and does not involve a complete removal of the filibuster for all legislation. Despite this distinction, Jayapal cited these instances as evidence of Republicans already "getting rid of the filibuster" when it serves their objectives.
Her long-standing critique of the filibuster is well-documented. As recently as September, Jayapal referred to it as the “Jim Crow filibuster,” highlighting her perspective that the rule has historically been used to block civil rights legislation. On social media platform X, she expressed her belief that the filibuster was born out of a historical “mistake” in 1806 and urged its abolition to make way for legislative progress on issues she deems critical: “It’s the filibuster OR an assault weapons ban. It’s the filibuster OR codified abortion access. It’s the filibuster OR raising the minimum wage. It’s the filibuster OR protecting voting rights. The choice is clear. Abolish the Jim Crow filibuster.”
It’s the filibuster OR an assault weapons ban.
It's the filibuster OR codified abortion access.
It's the filibuster OR raising the minimum wage
It's the filibuster OR protecting voting rights.The choice is clear. Abolish the Jim Crow filibuster.
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) September 25, 2024
Interestingly, as a member of the House, Jayapal doesn’t wield direct influence over the Senate filibuster, which operates exclusively in the Senate. Yet, she is one of the few Democrats openly admitting what many observers have long noted—that the drive to end the filibuster appears tied to partisan advantage.