Dems wary of killing off filibuster

But several Democratic senators are cool to the idea. They worry that taking the dramatic step would effectively defang the minority party and freeze any hope of bipartisanship.

They also think the change would turn the Senate into the House, where the majority completely rules.

“The Senate is the Senate. I served in the House, I don’t want to serve in the House again,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat. “There comes a time when the Senate has a responsibility to protect the minority.”

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), asked if he would support getting rid of the legislative filibuster, also quickly shot down the idea.