Democrats celebrated after the Georgia runoffs this past January secured the party a razor-thin majority in the Senate. Months later, that optimism has been deflated by Senate Republicans' eager use of the filibuster—which requires 60 votes to allow a bill to advance to the floor—to block Democratic legislation.
But while Republicans were always expected to exploit the filibuster, it's moderate Democrats who are taking heat from voters for their unwillingness to abolish or even modify the rule.
Among these is Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. In addition to her opposition to filibuster reform, she's currently withholding her vote on President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill, which can bypass the filibuster through the reconciliation process, but requires every single Democratic vote.
The widely popular bill would dramatically expand medicare, provide universal pre-K and two years of community college, and reinvigorate the fight against the climate crisis.
It would also decrease prescription drug prices—an initiative at odds with the pharmaceutical industry, which makes up some of Sinema's largest donors.
A recent profile on Sinema for Time Magazine featured comments from former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, who said Sinema was hoping for a similar legacy to the late Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, known partly for his willingness to buck the mainstream Republican agenda.
Woods said:
"I think she definitely would like for her legacy to be 'the maverick' like him. He was instinctively drawn to doing the opposite of what he was told and what people expected. She's definitely attracted to that image."
Firebrand progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a vocal proponent of the $3.5 trillion bill, scoffed at the idea of Sinema as a "maverick."
She made her thoughts known in a recent tweet.
There really isn\u2019t anything maverick, innovative, or renegade about being a politician that works with corporate lobbyists to protect the rich, short-shrift working families, and preserve the status quo.\n\nIt\u2019s literally one the most conventional ways to navigate politics.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1633211308
People largely agreed.
Agreed! The McCain approach is not a noble endeavor, when it is flipped on its head and used in opposition of the greater good and will of the people.https://twitter.com/aoc/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Noah Hebert (@Noah Hebert) 1633294131
I don't think I'm going out on a limb here to say that AOC is referring to Sinema. AOC is on target.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692?s=20\u00a0\u2026— GMoney_Vets_Resist (@GMoney_Vets_Resist) 1633213941
Accurate!!! Perpetuating the status quo is the path of least resistance. With pressure, people will do anything. Best to always stick to personal values and compass (if people have one). When all is stripped away that is all anyone has. Do not be fooled by the facades.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Kelli Stretesky #RightsMatter #StopCorruption (@Kelli Stretesky #RightsMatter #StopCorruption) 1633266845
Such a perfect description of @SenatorSinema : an old-style, conventional politician who works exclusively for corporate lobbyists/overlords in order to protect the rich, while bilking working- + middle-class families, fighting for the status quo at their expense. https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Jasot Turbot (@Jasot Turbot) 1633220536
Amen, sister! That movie's been on replay w/o end for decades.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Nancy C. Jacobson (@Nancy C. Jacobson) 1633212224
Yes. This means you, @SenatorSinema! Your constituents are watching.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Dan Stormont (@Dan Stormont) 1633223924
People made sure Sinema saw the subtweet.
Paging @SenatorSinema.https://twitter.com/aoc/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— Steven Boyer (@Steven Boyer) 1633211560
@SenatorSinema what a fraud. #BuildBackBetterActhttps://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— afondfarewell (@afondfarewell) 1633211755
cc: @kyrstensinema\n\nIn case there was any doubt, she\u2019s referring to you.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1444419033634418692\u00a0\u2026— \ud835\ude72\ud835\ude77\ud835\ude81\ud835\ude78\ud835\ude82 \ud835\ude82\ud835\ude83\ud835\ude70\ud835\ude7d\ud835\ude7b\ud835\ude74\ud835\ude88 (@\ud835\ude72\ud835\ude77\ud835\ude81\ud835\ude78\ud835\ude82 \ud835\ude82\ud835\ude83\ud835\ude70\ud835\ude7d\ud835\ude7b\ud835\ude74\ud835\ude88) 1633282575
Congress and Biden are still wrangling to get both the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, as well as a bipartisan Senate-backed infrastructure bill, onto the President's desk.
