Following the Republican Party’s victory in securing a 53-47 Senate majority, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued a plea for bipartisanship during a floor speech this week.

The speech comes in stark contrast to plans Schumer outlined earlier this year to eliminate the filibuster if Democrats maintained control of the Senate and the White House.

Chuck Schumer says that eliminating the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court are both on the table if the Democrats win the Senate majority. Let what that means sink in and then get off your butt and do something to turn out voters to vote Republican. pic.twitter.com/MabVgQIsBl

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 21, 2020

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During the Democratic National Convention in August, held in Chicago, Schumer had confidently discussed plans to abolish the legislative filibuster under a potential Kamala Harris administration.

Chutzpah. Schumer at the DNC smugly broadcast his post-election plans to nuke the longstanding Senate filibuster and pass sweeping agenda with zero GOP buy-in. Now he lectures Republicans: “do not abandon the need for bipartisanship after winning an election.” https://t.co/6J7GNSs8C1

— Jason Willick (@jawillick) November 14, 2024

At the time, Harris was the Democratic presidential nominee and polling strongly.

Schumer’s vision centered on Democrats securing control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, enabling the party to enact legislation without Republican input.

The filibuster, a Senate rule requiring a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation, has long been a safeguard for minority party rights.

In 2005, Democrat Chuck Schumer said eliminating the filibuster would “be a doomsday for Democracy.” pic.twitter.com/SInO8p9bSd

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 3, 2022

Schumer intended to dismantle it to enable Democrats to pass their legislative agenda with a simple majority, even in a 50-50 split Senate with Vice President Tim Walz breaking ties.

“We got it up to 48, but, of course, Sinema and Manchin voted no; that’s why we couldn’t change the rules,” Schumer said during the convention.

He referred to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who both opposed eliminating the filibuster in 2022, blocking the Democratic effort.

Schumer believed that their departures from the Senate, coupled with a presumed victory for Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego in Sinema’s seat, would provide the 50 votes necessary to eliminate the rule.

Despite Schumer’s confidence, the election results delivered a Republican majority in the Senate, with 53 seats secured.

Democrats not only failed to gain a filibuster-proof majority but also lost their bid for the White House, leaving Schumer in the minority with no Vice President Walz to break Senate ties.

Faced with this reality, Schumer struck a markedly different tone this week. Speaking from the Senate floor, he cautioned Republicans against pursuing a partisan agenda. “Another closely contested election now comes to an end,” Schumer said.

“To my Republican colleagues, I offer a word of caution in good faith: Take care not to misread the will of the people, and do not abandon the need for bipartisanship.”

Schumer appealed for cooperation, warning Republicans of the consequences of pursuing an extreme agenda. “After winning an election, the temptation may be to go to the extreme. We’ve seen that happen over the decades, and it has consistently backfired on the party in power,” he stated.

“If we want the next four years in the Senate to be as productive as the last four, the only way that will happen is through bipartisan cooperation.”

Chuck Schumer @SenSchumer out here desperately calling for “good faith” and “bipartisanship”.

Just like y’all did when you were jailing, bankrupting and otherwise destroying your political opponents?

Buckle up, Chuck.pic.twitter.com/4JlwfRuuaG

— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) November 13, 2024

Schumer’s comments have been interpreted as a veiled concern that Republicans might consider removing the filibuster, mirroring the strategy he had outlined for Democrats.

However, Republican leaders have shown little interest in dismantling the rule, recognizing its importance in safeguarding minority rights in the Senate.

The filibuster has long been a contentious issue in the Senate, with both parties reversing their positions depending on whether they are in the majority or minority.

The late Sen. Fred Thompson famously remarked, “When we are in the majority, the filibuster is bad. When we are in the minority, the filibuster is good.”

Critics have noted the drastic shift in Schumer’s rhetoric.

Earlier this year, he sought to eliminate the filibuster entirely to advance a partisan agenda.

Now, as his party faces minority status, he is urging bipartisanship and defending the collaborative nature of the Senate.

With Republicans in control of the Senate and Democrats in the minority, the filibuster will remain a critical component of legislative negotiations.

🚨 BREAKING: Chuck Schumer* speaks on the Senate floor in defense of the filibuster.

*Senator Cotton’s speech consisted entirely of Senator Schumer’s past statements. pic.twitter.com/zGfbpr7G5t

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 12, 2022