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Fox News contributor and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer on Wednesday predicted that Senate Democrats will move to nix the Senate filibuster on gun reform legislationafter multiple deadly mass shootings.

During an interview on Foxs Americas Newsroom, Fleischer, who served under former President George W. Bushs administration, said that gun control is one of the issues at the core of the Democratic Party.

I think this is going to be an issue that breaks the Senate, he said. It is so deep and fervent inside the Democratic Party that gun control is the answer.

Fleischer went on to predict that Senate Democrats will break the filibuster over this, adding, I dont think they have any choice.

The base demands it, they demand action, they say thoughts and prayers are not enough, he continued. Theyre going to try to get through whatever they can get through on 50 votes, and this will be the issue that they challenge the filibuster over.

Co-host Bill Hemmer pointed out opposition to nixing the filibuster among moderate Democrats, particularly Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinThe Hill's Morning Report - Biden tasks Harris on border; news conference today Democrats face questions over agenda Democrats divided on gun control strategy MORE (D-W.Va.), who told CNNon Tuesday that he would still advocate against it even if removing the rule would allow the passage of his bipartisan bill with Republican Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeySasse rebuked by Nebraska Republican Party over impeachment vote Philly GOP commissioner on censures: 'I would suggest they censure Republican elected officials who are lying' Toomey censured by several Pennsylvania county GOP committees over impeachment vote MORE (Pa.), which requires background checks on armed sales at gun shows and over the internet.

The bill goes short of mandating background checks in private transfers of firearms, which the broader House gun reform bills have included.

However, Fleischer said, Manchin also said he would only support a bipartisan COVID bill, and of course, there was a partisan COVID bill and he supported it.

Manchin is always an open question, he added. Im not sure I would take him at his word, particularly when the pressure mounts on the core issue that defines the modern day Democratic Party.

Fleischers remarks come amid growing support among Democrats to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster needed to end debate on legislation. Ending the practicewould return the Senate to a talking filibuster, in which senators need to physically be on the floor to block legislation

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: Senate confirms Levine for HHS, first openly transgender official | Progressives up pressure on Biden to back COVID vaccine patent waiver | Former Operation Warp Speed chief fired over sexual harassment allegations Mississippi GOP senator says it's wrong to vote on Sunday for religious reasons Senate confirms first openly transgender official, approving Levine for HHS MORE (D-N.Y.) has pledged to put forth a series of bills on the floor, which will likely force Democrats to take a position on removing the filibuster in order to move forward their desired policy proposals in the face of Republican opposition.

President Biden on Tuesday called on Congress to enact meaningful gun control legislation, including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as closing loopholes in background checks for firearms.

Bidens call for further reforms included a demand that the Senate immediately pass two bills approved by the House earlier this year that would expand background checks on gun sales, and Schumer has vowed to take action on the legislation.

Other lawmakers have signaled that they would support removing the filibuster in order to move forward a range of other legislative reforms.

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingSenators eye rollback of Trump methane rule with Congressional Review Act Manchin says Democrats should pay for infrastructure, raise corporate taxes Fleischer predicts Democrats will nix filibuster for gun control MORE (I-Maine) on Wednesday suggested he would support changing Senate rules should Republicans block voting rights legislation.

"All-out opposition to reasonable voting rights protections cannot be enabled by the filibuster; if forced to choose between a Senate rule and democracy itself, I know where I will come down," King wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

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Fleischer predicts Democrats will nix filibuster for gun control | TheHill - The Hill