Warnock's Win Changes Senate Math - Or Not
Dec. 8th, 2022 07:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
canyonwalkerSince Sen. Raphael Warnock's reelection win in Georgia less than 2 days ago pundits are saying it totally changes the math of the US Senate. "Joe Manchin is the second biggest loser in this race [after defeated candidate Herschel Walker]," the gist goes.
Manchin, a Democrat US senator from West Virginia, rose to prominence over the past 2 years for his opposition to much of his party's legislative agenda. In an evenly divided 50-50 Senate every single vote counted. Manchin milked his for all it was worth. But is Machin made much less relevant with Dems now holding at 51-49 majority? Yes and no.
If all that had changed was Senate composition then, yes, Manchin would lose some leverage. Though only some, as Arizona Democrat Kirsten Sinema often joined him in thwarting Democrat priorities. The two of them together would still be enough to scuttle any or all Democrat legislation. But that's not the whole picture after the election; far from it. Republicans took control of the House. That makes intra-party opposition from Manchin in the Senate much less relevant. Sure, Dems can pass bills in the Senate without Manchin's support, but anything they do that's seen as even remotely partisan will die in the House.
Manchin, a Democrat US senator from West Virginia, rose to prominence over the past 2 years for his opposition to much of his party's legislative agenda. In an evenly divided 50-50 Senate every single vote counted. Manchin milked his for all it was worth. But is Machin made much less relevant with Dems now holding at 51-49 majority? Yes and no.
If all that had changed was Senate composition then, yes, Manchin would lose some leverage. Though only some, as Arizona Democrat Kirsten Sinema often joined him in thwarting Democrat priorities. The two of them together would still be enough to scuttle any or all Democrat legislation. But that's not the whole picture after the election; far from it. Republicans took control of the House. That makes intra-party opposition from Manchin in the Senate much less relevant. Sure, Dems can pass bills in the Senate without Manchin's support, but anything they do that's seen as even remotely partisan will die in the House.
