The U.S. Senate may face increased gridlock in 2025 as several moderate lawmakers, including Sens. Mitt Romney, Kyrsten Sinema, and Joe Manchin, are expected to depart. This could potentially lead to a more hostile atmosphere in the Senate, making it harder to legislate across party lines. Political experts suggest that if these moderate senators are succeeded by more polarized figures, deadlock and stalemate are likely outcomes. However, there is also the possibility that Arizona, West Virginia, and Utah could produce more moderate representatives to fill their seats.
Romney has acknowledged that the Senate’s bipartisan efforts may be coming to an end, as he noted that the group of moderate senators who worked together effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic may not continue in the future. GOP strategist Ron Bonjean predicts that the departure of these moderate senators could lead to their seats being filled by more partisan voices who are less interested in finding bipartisan solutions. The fate of the filibuster, a procedural device that allows senators to block bills that don’t reach 60 votes, is also a significant consideration for the Senate without Romney, Manchin, and Sinema.
Manchin and Sinema have previously opposed efforts by Democrats to eliminate the filibuster, and political experts suggest that if more polarized figures enter the Senate, even the crucial vote needed to break a filibuster may not be a moderate. Without bipartisan cooperation, neither Democrats nor Republicans are likely to advance their agendas significantly, as it is unlikely that either party will gain the 60 seats needed to bypass a filibuster. However, if Democrats were to gain control of all three branches of government, they might seek to reform or eliminate the filibuster.
Overall, the departure of moderate senators like Romney, Manchin, and Sinema could potentially lead to increased partisanship and deadlock in the Senate. While some suggest that their seats could be filled by similar moderate representatives, others predict a more partisan climate in the upper chamber. The fate of the filibuster remains uncertain, and the possibility of Democrats reviving efforts to reform or eliminate it exists. Ultimately, the future of the Senate and its ability to legislate across party lines will depend on the makeup of the new members and their willingness to cooperate with the opposing party.
