Democrat chances to kill the filibuster and pass noxious legislation augered in late Wednesday night, as Manchin and Sinema did exactly what they said they would do and voted to uphold senate tradition on the filibuster. Totally.

FNC: “Democrats’ attempt to use a ‘nuclear option’ to get around the filibuster for two major elections bills failed Wednesday after the gambit from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was stymied by Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.

Close

Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sinema, D-Ariz., joined all Senate Republicans in opposing the attempt to alter the Senate filibuster on party lines, resulting in a 48-52 final tally. That vote followed a failed attempt by Democrats to advance the election bills over the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold. All Republicans opposed it.”

There was commentary from the major players  “A few hours ago this chamber, with the eyes of the nation upon it and with the evidence of vote suppression laid bare before it… took a vote to move to final passage on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday. “It received 50 votes, and with the vice president we would have had a majority.” But you didn’t, did you? Eat dirt. Schumer added: “Even if you think the filibuster is a good thing, is it protecting voting rights, and preventing their diminution more important?” No.

“These bills help treat the symptoms of the disease, but they do not fully address the disease itself. And while I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division affecting our country,” Senator Sinema said last week. She kept her word.

“Allowing one party to exert complete control in the Senate with only a simple majority will only pour fuel on the fire of political whiplash and dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart,” Senator Manchin said Wednesday. “Contrary to what some have said, protecting the role of the minority – Democrat or Republican – has protected us from the volatile political swings that we have endured over the last 233 years.” Spot on.

“The legislative filibuster is a central Senate tradition. It is the indispensable feature of our institution. It makes the Senate serve its founding purpose: forging compromise, cooling passions, and ensuring that new laws earn broad support from a cross-section of our country,” Mitch McConnell said. “Doll it up any way you choose to, this is a plot to break the Senate,” McConnell also said. “Fortunately, a bipartisan majority saved the Senate and ensured that millions and millions of Americans’ voices will not be silenced.”

The NRSC, the Republican senate campaign arm, commented before the vote. “If Schumer continues down this path… I think we’ll send him a gift basket or something,” a spox said. “It’s not about the rule itself. It’s about why they do it. They’re not trying to change the rules so they can more easily name post offices. They’re trying to change the rules because they can’t pass their crazy agenda without changing the rules.” After the vote, for leading their forces into defeat, the NRSC did sent Schumer that gift basket. For real.