Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
Kaine: “I’ve supported filibuster reform to make the Senate work better for all of us, but our efforts to do that earlier this year didn’t have the votes. Right now, I’m focused on finding bipartisan common ground to codify the right to choose, which the vast majority of Americans support.”
Kaine’s office: “Senator Kaine supports returning to the traditional Senate talking filibuster, which always allowed passage of legislation, following full debate, by a simple majority.” (July 2022 email to TPM’s Kate Riga)
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“As we mark *6 months* since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect, we cannot let up our work to codify Roe v. Wade and protect abortion rights for everyone—regardless of zip code. Last night’s filibuster isn't the end of this. Your uterus is no one else's business.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“Republicans in the Senate continue to block debate on legislation to codify reproductive rights, but they can’t block the will of the American people. The Senate must act at once to protect the constitutional rights of every woman across the nation.” () “As much as I know that, at some point, (Republicans) are going to do things that I absolutely disagree with, on climate, on choice, on really important stuff, it is just as important to begin to have the feedback with the American people to tell the difference between the two parties. Elections will have consequences.”
[On filibuster reform] “When we are in the majority, we are going to pass things like the child tax credit and make it permanent, and deal with climate change and respect women, and workers and educators. That’s why I am willing to accept the risk.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion separately
“We've been down this road once already. There aren't enough horses to do it. Nothing's changed.” () “Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said it was ‘premature’ to discuss overhauling the Senate's filibuster rules until it's clear what the Supreme Court decided. ‘I think it's premature at this point in time because we don't know if this is true or not,’” Tester said. () “Restore it back to the days of the talking filibuster, so you still have a filibuster, but people have to talk. They can’t put a hold on a bill and then walk out the door and go home, which is what they can do now. They have to hold the floor. And if they don’t hold the floor, they have the vote. That’s what needs to happen.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion separately
“If Roe falls, it’s up to Congress to protect reproductive rights. Inaction is not an option.” () “Voter disenfranchisement threatens our entire democracy. If we can change the process on the debt ceiling, then surely we can do the same to protect our democracy.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion separately
“Rosen’s office, when asked about the prospects of Democratic policy responses to the court overturning Roe, and reconciliation in particular, sent a statement that did not address the issue specifically, saying only that the senator ‘supports any feasible avenue to get this bill passed to restore reproductive rights.’” () “I will never back down from a woman’s right to choose; I think it’s fundamentally important. We have to look at not just when you’re in the majority, but what does it do when you’re in the minority? You have to be mindful of that.”
“I will never stop trying to find common ground across the aisle in order to deliver for hard working Nevadans and Americans, but I’m also not going to let obstructionists stand in the way of protecting our fundamental rights as Americans. Right now, our democracy is under attack and we must do everything we can to protect voting rights. If eliminating the filibuster is what it takes to get it done, then we must protect our democracy at all costs.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“The notion of changing the rules is that you're really at the mercy of one or two senators who can make that decision for us.” () “If you've been here any number of years, the tables can turn. Let's think long and hard, and we went after voting rights … I supported that and I think that there are possibilities in that regard...”
“There are many possibilities here, but I have not endorsed any of them.” (
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“The right to an abortion is a fundamental right. Congress has a mandate to protect Americans’ fundamental rights. We must act now.” () “For the sake of our vulnerable populations, for the sake of America doing big things again, the filibuster has to be reformed.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion separately
“The Senate was designed to protect the political rights of the minority in the chamber, through the promise of debate and the opportunity to amend. But over the years, those rights have been warped and contorted to obstruct and embarrass the will of majority – something our Founders explicitly opposed. The constitution specified what measures demanded a supermajority – including impeachment or the ratification of treaties. But they explicitly rejected supermajority requirements for legislation, having learned firsthand of such a requirement’s defects under the Articles of Confederation. The weaponization of rules once meant to short-circuit obstruction have been hijacked to guarantee obstruction.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“I have a record in support of a woman’s right to choose. And my opponent, Adam Laxalt, opposes it, and will take it away. There is no doubt in my mind he would also work with some of my Republican colleagues who right now are planning legislation to restrict abortion across this country if they had the ability to do so. And he would vote with them.” () “But McConnell is determined to exploit the filibuster and fight progress on the most urgent crises facing our nation and if he wants to block action on health care, climate change, and voting rights, he should have to stand on the Senate floor and be transparent about his obstruction.” ()
Supports filibuster reform and abortion rights separately
“The Senate must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify and prohibit laws that impose burdensome requirements on access to reproductive health services.” () “Senator Cardin is an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (S. 1975) that would codify the right to choose in federal law.” () "Congress and (the president) must take swift action to protect personal reproductive and health rights for Americans. From Maryland to Mississippi, Florida to Washington State, there should be a common standard for self-determination of health decisions for women and all individuals." () “I would be prepared to eliminate the filibuster, but I don’t think you have the votes in the Senate to do it,” Cardin said. “I’m trying to find a bipartisan buy-in to reforming the Senate. I think that’s far healthier.” ()