Ben Ray Luján’s Stroke Could Imperil The Democrats’ Agenda
Democratic New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján’s stroke means that Democrats could be without their 50th Senate vote for weeks, potentially imperiling their ability to move forward on their priorities.
Democrats have the slimmest of Senate majorities, with their tie-breaking vote coming from Vice President Kamala Harris. And while Luján’s staff said that the senator, 49, is
expected to make a complete recovery, his absence means that Republicans could have a 50-49 edge.
That advantage means that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is hamstrung when it comes to passing legislation or confirming nominees that do not have significant bipartisan support. Democrats’ Build Back Better Act, for example, is now doomed for the foreseeable future, even if Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin were to
reverse his position and offer it his total endorsement.
Ben Ray Luján’s Stroke Could Imperil The Democrats’ Agenda