A group of 20 senators, mostly centrists but also including some more ideological members of both parties, is seeking to replicate its success last year in breaking a months-long logjam on coronavirus relief. The so-called G-20 hopes to develop bipartisan approaches to issues like the minimum wage, immigration and infrastructure, in the process providing a compelling argument against axing the filibuster — if it can produce results…
The bipartisan group met Wednesday afternoon for lunch and emerged from the meeting optimistic about the potential for cooperation, pledging to meet every two weeks. Divided equally between deal-seeking Republicans and Democrats, the bloc could become a critical power center in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s 50-50 Senate.
After all, it’s no accident that 10 GOP senators are in the group: That’s the exact number that Schumer needs to break a filibuster. So the 117th Congress could amount to the ultimate test case for whether bipartisanship on big issues is still possible, with Democrats holding narrow majorities in both chambers and President Joe Biden fashioning himself as a bridge-builder with longstanding ties to the Senate.
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