Filibuster

The push to alter the filibuster and sidestep a Republican blockade of two voting rights bills was doomed by Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

The president has been under increasing pressure to more aggressively combat threats to voting rights. And advocates say speeches are not a substitute for legislative action.

Biden wants to change the filibuster to one in which a senator actually has to talk for potentially hours on end. Many Democrats hope that could ease passage of some of their priorities.

The president, during an interview with ABC News, called to change the way the controversial Senate filibuster functions.

The Senate minority leader pointed to statements by two moderate Democrats who oppose ending the legislative maneuver. Both sides claimed victory, but the truce could be short-lived.

Getting rid of the legislative filibuster — the rule requiring at least 60 votes to advance a bill — is what many activists say is key to passing a progressive agenda. But not all Democrats agree.