Democrats tee up filibuster reform by forcing issue on immigration, voting rights: Reporter's Notebook

Expect Senate Democrats to use a potential standoff over the debt ceiling, voting rights and even the Parliamentarian’s decision that immigration reform doesn't qualify for a budget bill as a way to make the case to modify the filibuster.

This is a gambit to ripen the issue of filibuster reform among Democrats. But, also, as it pertains to immigration. Liberals want to test the limits of stuffing immigration provisions into a budget bill. The immigration fight is not completely over yet. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough decided immigration didn’t fit in a fiscal bill. Democrats will petition MacDonough again  with another proposal – and, simultaneously try to blame her for all of their ills if she rules against them. Again.

But this entire enterprise is truly about emboldening Democrats to eventually modify the filibuster.To wit: 

Republicans may very well filibuster a bill designed to avoid a government shutdown and lift the debt ceiling. House Democrats approved the plan Tuesday night on a party line vote. However, Senate Democrats could likely pass this bill on their own – perhaps with a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Harris – if no filibuster existed in the Senate.