Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has issued a stark warning about Senate Democrats' alleged plans to radically alter the balance of power in Washington. In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, Daines accused the Democrats of plotting to "nuke" the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, and grant statehood to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, moves he claims would permanently shift the political landscape in their favor.
According to Daines, eliminating the filibuster would pave the way for Democrats to pass their legislative agenda with a simple majority, bypassing the traditional 60-vote threshold required to end debate on most topics. This, he argues, is a direct attack on the Senate's role as a deliberative body designed to foster bipartisan cooperation and protect minority party rights. "The filibuster is a critical check on the majority's power," Daines said. "Removing it would allow Democrats to push through radical changes without any input from Republicans".
Exclusive: Daines Warns of Senate Democrats’ Plan for ‘Radical’ Power Grab Nuking Filibuster, Packing SCOTUS, Making D.C. and Puerto Rico States https://t.co/n4SEmdEMzK
— Don Ukens (@don_ukens) July 5, 2024
The Montana Senator also highlighted the Democrats' push to expand the Supreme Court from nine to thirteen justices as a blatant power grab. He asserted that adding more liberal justices would undermine the Court's independence and turn it into a tool for advancing a partisan agenda.
Daines pointed out that even prominent Democrats like President Biden and the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have historically opposed such measures. "Our founding fathers designed the judiciary to be insulated from political pressures. Court-packing is a dangerous precedent that threatens the integrity of our judicial system," Daines emphasized.
1/ Dems are attempting to gut the Senate #filibuster rule—used for nearly 200 years to ensure bipartisanship & consensus-driven decision making—in order to force their federal takeover of elections into law via #HR4.
Lean more about the Dem power grab ⤵️https://t.co/VRtJ2TYJmg pic.twitter.com/14Sm6rsjra
— Election Transparency Initiative (@ETI_now) January 12, 2022
Moreover, Daines voiced strong opposition to the efforts to grant statehood to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, calling it an attempt to secure additional Senate seats for Democrats. He noted that these territories have unique statuses and argued that the move is more about consolidating power than addressing residents' needs.
"This isn't about representation; it's about securing a permanent majority in the Senate," he claimed. Washington, D.C., with its population of over 712,000, already pays federal taxes and has a non-voting delegate in the House. Similarly, Puerto Rico has been pushing for statehood, which would also mean more Democratic seats in Congress.
Critics of Daines' stance argue that eliminating the filibuster and adding new states are necessary steps to ensure fair representation and address longstanding inequities. Proponents of D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood cite the principle of "taxation without representation," arguing that citizens in these territories deserve a voice in Congress commensurate with their contributions. In recent referendums, a majority of voters in both regions have expressed support for statehood, indicating a strong desire for greater political representation and autonomy.
As the debate continues, Daines and other Republicans are calling for vigilance against what they see as a dangerous overreach. They argue that these proposed changes could lead to a one-party rule and fundamentally alter the fabric of American democracy. "We must stand firm against these radical moves," Daines urged, stressing the importance of preserving the checks and balances that have long defined the U.S. political system.
