Merkley: Dems Have The Votes For Filibuster Reform

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a leading champion of filibuster reform, told TPMPrime members during a live chat Wednesday that Democrats will have the votes to weaken the minority party's power to obstruct when the Senate returns next week.

"There are a number of folks who are working to get their hands around how these proposed changes would work in practice," he said. "Senator Udall -- my core partner throughout this battle -- and I both believe that when Majority Leader Reid says 'here is my package and I need you all to back it,' he will have 51 votes behind him."

He said the only clear holdout among the 55 Democrats is Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).

"News reports have had a reasonably accurate list of the Senators who are solidly there and those who are still working out the details," Merkley said. "As of this point, the only person who has said that he will definitely oppose Reid's package if it is to be done with 51 votes is Senator Levin."

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