Two Democratic senators are on record in opposition to abolishing the filibuster. Perhaps they see the critical importance of passing HR-1, but they may have painted themselves into a corner. Even a carveout for voting rights might seem like a betrayal of their promise.
Here’s an idea: instead of abolishing the filibuster, change the reconciliation rule. Allow it to include more things. Allow it to be used more often. It would have the same effect as nuking the filibuster or at least watering it down.
One could say that the reconciliation rule is part of the filibuster rule, so that changing it is the same as changing the filibuster. Certainly, Republicans would say that. But whether or not it’s true, it would put them in a position of having to explain this technicality to the American people. They would be on the defensive, and the Democratic senators would have an out.