Manchin Warns Democrats Gutting Filibuster Could Come Back 'at You Pretty Hard'

Senator Joe Manchin isn't on board with gutting the filibuster and is warning his colleagues that changing the rules now could come back to bite them.

Many have advocated for revamping the filibuster so Democrats could bypass Republican support and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer appears to be eying a vote. However, Republican leaders have cautioned Democrats against going "nuclear" because it sets precedent for the GOP to ram through their own agenda once they take back the Senate.

Manchin also warned legislators about failing to look ahead before moving forward with changes to the filibuster. He told reporters on Tuesday that if Democrats change the rules without Republican support, "it ends up coming back at you pretty hard."

Newsweek reached out to Senator Manchin for comment.

With the slimmest majority possible in the Senate, Democrats have struggled to pass legislation, leading many progressives to push for gutting the filibuster. Changing the filibuster would give Democrats the ability to pass legislation with just their simple majority.

In Tuesday's "Dear Colleague" letter, Schumer expressed the need to pass voting rights legislation, calling for the Senate to "evolve" to get that done. He noted that the Senate was "designed to evolve" and said the Senate will consider legislation over the next few weeks. If Republicans do not "change course and work with us," Schumer said the Senate will debate changes to the chamber's rule by January 17.

While changing the filibuster would appeal to progressive Democrats, any changes would require a unified Democratic caucus and Manchin is still on the fence.

However, any changes to the filibuster would require a unified Democratic caucus and Manchin is still on the fence. He told reporters changing rules that would create a nuclear option is a "heavy lift." Manchin's engaged in conversations about it but added that he isn't "agreeing to any of this."

The West Virginia Democrat wants to consider "all the options we have" and would prefer to include Republicans in developing any rule changes. It's unlikely Republicans get on board with changing the rules in a manner that makes it easier for Democrats to pass legislation.

In March, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that if Democrats bypass Republicans now, the GOP will do the same once they retake control of the chamber. Once "back in the saddle," McConnell said Republicans would "strengthen America with all kinds of conservative policies with zero input from the other side."

McConnell suggested Republicans would defund Planned Parenthood and sanctuary cities, allow for concealed carry reciprocity in every state and engage in a "massive hardening of security on our Southern border."

"So the pendulum, Mr. President would swing both ways and it would swing hard," McConnell said.

While Republicans are warning about what will happen if the filibuster is changed, Democrats are warning about what will happen if things stay the same. Legislators noted that voters elected a Democratic president and Congress to see results and if significant legislation isn't passed, it could hurt Democrats in the midterms.