U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill says Republicans have begun courting her and other moderate Democrats in hopes of avoiding filibusters in the next Congress.
The Springfield News-Leader reports the Missouri senator said the new Republican majority is looking for Democrats to be swing votes on major initiatives such as transportation legislation and corporate tax reform. She says Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has already approached her about teaming up.
Most legislation in the Senate requires 60 votes to avoid the threat of a filibuster. The GOP will hold 54 votes next year. McCaskill previously broke with Democratic Party leadership when she voted against U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada to be the minority leader. She also wants to approve authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
