By Jordain Carney - 01/16/21 02:49 PM EST
Senate Democrats appear unlikely to nuke the legislative filibuster, despite intense pressure from the left in the wake of this month s two victories in Georgia.
Starting Wednesday, Democrats will control a unified government for the first time since 2010. But the slim 50-50 margin in the Senate is threatening to box in progressive hopes of going big with sweeping policies unless they can convince senators to nix the 60-vote hurdle that would require GOP support for most legislation.
Supporters of going “nuclear” would need the support of every member of the Senate Democratic caucus to get rid of the filibuster, but several aren’t on board.
“@johnthune is a friend of mine, and I will not be challenging him,” Noem tweeted Tuesday night. “I’m honored to be Governor of South Dakota and will ask the people to give me an opportunity to continue serving them as Governor in 2022.”
.@johnthune is a friend of mine, and I will not be challenging him. I’m honored to be Governor of South Dakota and will ask the people to give me an opportunity to continue serving them as Governor in 2022. Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) December 22, 2020
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Noem is both a vocal ally of the president’s and considered a possible contender for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024. In addition to a prime speaking slot at the Republican National Convention, she joined Trump at a Fourth of July event at Mt. Rushmore this year.
I’m in, he tweeted early Wednesday in response to a post from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Whaddya say, Mitch? Schumer asked, referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
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I’m in. Whaddya say, Mitch? Let’s not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS! The American people deserve it. @senatemajldrhttps://t.co/L1b5rUkc7h Chuck Schumer
On Tuesday night, Trump called the bill, which passed both chambers of Congress this week and includes $600 in direct payments, a disgrace, saying that amount was not enough money and complaining too little is given to small businesses, and in particular restaurants, whose owners have suffered so grievously.