Congresswoman Bass Says It’s More than Just Manchin and Sinema Holding Back Democratic Agenda

When President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris defeated Donald Trump and Mike Pence to win the White House, the new administration claimed that they had won the battle for the soul of America.

Less than two months later, when Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Purdue to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, it was Black America that mostly breathed a sigh of relief.

Democrats had no more excuses.

After four years of a race-baiting and mostly oppressive administration, a better tomorrow had finally arrived.

With a Democrat in the White House and party control of the House and Senate, indeed, African Americans and other communities of color could expect nothing less than police reform, voting rights, and a renewed push for a social safety net.

While President Biden has utilized executive orders to reset some of his predecessors’ Jim Crow-like policies, lawmakers have thus far failed to protect voters of color, assure police accountability, and correct centuries-old legislation that negatively affects minorities.

“It’s so important for our people to understand why,” remarked Congresswoman Karen Bass.

She held a zoom conference with journalists and publishers from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America.

“They say Democrats control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and we still can’t get anything done,” Congresswoman Bass stated.

“It’s important to know that we were successful twice in the House in getting the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed, only to have it die in the Senate because of Senate rules around the filibuster,” she said.

“It’s important to understand that there are senators on our side of the aisle that don’t want to get rid of the filibuster,” she advised.

“The Congressional Black Caucus did what we were supposed to do in the House, and there’s nothing we could do about the Senate.”

While the sentiments were evident, Congresswoman Bass went in on some members of her party – specifically Democrats in the Senate.

The congresswoman acknowledged that Senators Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) oppose any tinkering of the filibuster, the archaic and racist rule that requires bipartisan agreements on legislation.

While some have described Sen. Manchin as a Republican in Democrat clothing, Sen. Sinema openly has mingled with organizations opposed to most of President Biden’s plan.

The Arizona senator reportedly has received nearly $1 million from groups and corporations opposed to the police reform, the American Rescue Plan, and the Build Back Better agenda.

Congresswoman Bass said Sens. Manchin and Sinema might be a front for other Democrats, who throw rocks and hide their hands.

“I know Manchin and Sinema don’t want to do that [eliminate the filibuster],” Congresswoman Bass asserted.

“But here’s the thing,” she said, now loaded for bear.

“I don’t think it’s just Manchin and Sinema. I think there are other Democratic Senators, but we don’t know who they are. I think Manchin and Sinema are just the faces of this,” the congresswoman declared in a stunning rebuke of some party members.

“Both Manchin and Sinema have been re-elected, and they have five more years to go. They know that in year five, everybody will come back to them and vote for them because they know that we need Democrats.”

Congresswoman Bass didn’t stop there.

“The Senate Parliamentarian that the Democrats hired seems to have an awful lot of power,” she continued.

“I think if I hired someone, where’s my power? Is there a history of Democrats or Republicans, anyone, pushing the Parliamentarian to do what’s needed as opposed to ‘asking’ the Parliamentarian? I don’t know the history, but I am curious.”