Feathers fly in filibuster furore on Capitol Hill

Democrats are desperate to put an end to the much-maligned procedural rule, but Mitch McConnell and the Republicans continue to stand in their way

Joe Manchin is believed to be enjoying his moment in the spotlight as the most powerful senator in America. Picture: Getty

Last Friday night, as it became increasingly clear that Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker, was poised to launch a select committee investigation of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, Congressional Republicans fretted that they may have been outmanoeuvred by their Democratic counterparts.

Meanwhile, furious Senate Democrats became increasingly determined to force an end to the “filibuster” procedural rule that requires a majority of 60 votes to pass most legislation.

Both developments came ...