Jim Newell has the news on Nancy Pelosi’s post-communion press conference:
“It is essential that we protect and expand our pro-choice majorities in the House and Senate in November,” Pelosi said, “so that we can eliminate the filibuster so that we can restore women’s fundamental rights—and freedom for every American.”
Pelosi is rarely this blunt about eliminating the filibuster. More often she’ll dismiss questions about Senate rules, saying that the Senate’s business is the Senate’s business. These comments are indicative of a shift in the last few days from Democrats who recognize that vague exhortations to “vote in November!” needed to get a little sharper. (They weren’t landing that great with the populace.)
The new directive is: We just need two more senators to make your dreams come true.
Newell’s piece is worth reading in full. If you want a more in-depth analysis of what’s needed to win the Senate, here’s Rayne at Emptywheel’s piece from a few days ago that has the PVIs of different districts, and other Senate race information.
Also, Elizabeth Warren tweeted out a few more constructive actions, which included signing a petition in Michigan by July 11 to get an amendment on the ballot to expand abortion protection, and voting no on abortion limitations in Kansas on August 2. She only mentions John Fetterman (PA) and Mandela Barnes (WI) as two anti-filibuster Senate challengers, though Tim Ryan (OH) and Val Demings (FL) have been vocal about opposing it, so I wouldn’t limit support to the first two, especially since Barnes hasn’t yet won the WI primary. (Sound off in the comments if you know of others.)
Anyway, good to see that Pelosi, Josh Marshall, AOC, all the Dems named here, and more named in the piece, are all on the same page.