When the US president thought he had controlled the Senate majority without the casting vote of the vice president, Senator Krysten Sinema of Arizona changed his mind. Yesterday, he announced the decision to leave the Democratic Party and register as an independent, claiming he “never was a perfect fit for any of the national parties.” And unlike the other two independents, who vote alongside Democrats, it’s unclear if Sinema will do the same (although he has said he won’t side with the Republicans). Joe Biden has the leeway to lose a senator, but the problem is that Joe Manchin has also had headaches.
Sinema was not voted in this year’s midterm elections, and his seat will not be on the line until 2024. The decision to become independent could be a step to gain more exposure against a Democratic opponent as he seeks re-election for a second six-year term. (not yet confirmed). Since he was opposed to some of the policies on Biden’s agenda (along with Manchin), it was already taken for granted that he would have to make it through primaries. By becoming independent, it opens the door for Republicans because it can split the Democratic vote.
Also in Arizona, 34.6% of voters are registered as neither Republican (34.7%) nor Democrats (30.7%). “I join the growing number of voters in Arizona who reject partisan politics by declaring my independence from Washington’s broken party system,” wrote in an opinion piece about The Republic of Arizona.
The 46-year-old senator’s decision came days after Democrats secured what they believe was a 51-49 majority in January after Senator Raphael Warnock was re-elected in the second round in Georgia. Even if Sinema joins the Republicans, US Vice President Kamala Harris will have the casting vote if there is a 50-50 vote. The other two independent senators, Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and Angus King (Maine), vote with the Democrats and even participate in the group’s meetings in the Senate.
Sinema guarantees that “nothing will change” — including her participation in various committees she served on as a Democrat — noting that when she was elected she pledged to be independent and to work with anyone necessary to ensure results for her state , and not to give under pressure from the party. Her political career began as a member of the Green Party and anti-war activist, known as a “prada socialist”, who was “too” radical for the Arizona Democrats – which she joined in 2004.
In recent years, along with Manchin of West Virginia, he has pushed back a number of Biden initiatives — most notably an increase in taxes for corporations and the wealthy, as well as an expansion of the plan that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for those who has the Medicare system. In addition, both stopped the Democrats’ attempt to end the rules of the obstruct (which require some laws to have a qualified majority vote to pass).
However, in response to the decision, the White House said it hoped it would remain an ally after helping to push for other measures. “We understand that her decision to register as an independent does not change the new majority in the Democratic Senate, and we have every reason to believe that we will continue to work successfully with her.” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Source: DN
