President Donald Trump is calling on Republicans to get rid of the Senate filibuster to end the government shutdown—but many in his party are pushing back.
“It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option—Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday night. “If we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN.’”
The shutdown, which started on Oct. 1, is already the second longest in U.S. history and still has no clear endpoint in sight. If the shutdown continues into next week, it will become the longest one in history, breaking the previous record of 34 days set during Trump’s first term.
Some GOP leaders have previously suggested ending the filibuster, which allows the minority to block legislation by drawing out debate, effectively creating a 60-vote threshold for passing most bills. Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, said in an interview on Fox News earlier this month, “Maybe it’s time to think about the filibuster,” saying that eliminating it would “open the government” again.
But many lawmakers within the President’s party have dismissed the idea of eliminating the filibuster, emphasizing its importance.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously said it would be a “bad idea” to get rid of it.
“The 60-vote threshold has protected this country,” he said earlier this month. A spokesperson for Thune told POLITICO on Friday that Thune’s stance on the issue has not changed.
Sen. John Curtis, a Utah Republican, said on X on Friday, “The filibuster forces us to find common ground in the Senate. Power changes hands, but principles shouldn’t. I’m a firm no on eliminating it.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is not directly involved in Senate business, warned against ending the filibuster in a press conference on Friday, though he added that his opinion on the issue “is not relevant.”
“The filibuster has traditionally been viewed as a very important safeguard,” Johnson said. “If the shoe was on the other foot, I don’t think our team would like it.”
Johnson didn’t openly criticize the President on the issue, but suggested that Trump’s remarks come amid frustration over how long the shutdown has lasted.
“What you’re seeing is an expression of the President’s anger at the situation,” Johnson said. “He is as angry as I am and the American people are about this madness, and he just desperately wants the government to be reopened.”
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