On Thursday, President Donald Trump called on congressional Republicans to take decisive action to resolve the ongoing government shutdown by eliminating the Senate filibuster. In a provocative post on Truth Social, Trump urged GOP leaders to adopt what he termed the "Nuclear Option," advocating for the immediate removal of the filibuster, which has long been a point of contention within the party. "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 declared.
This directive arrives shortly after Trump returned from an international trip and has the potential to significantly alter the dynamics on Capitol Hill, where efforts to resolve the funding impasse have been ongoing for several weeks. The former president’s call to action puts increased pressure on Republican leaders who have traditionally opposed any changes to the filibuster rule.
Top GOP lawmakers have consistently defended the 60-vote threshold required to pass legislation in the Senate, asserting that maintaining the filibuster serves the party’s interests. They argue that this rule acts as a safeguard against potentially drastic legislative changes that could occur if Democrats regain power. The filibuster empowers the minority party, requiring at least 41 senators to oppose a bill to prevent it from coming to a vote. This mechanism is designed to encourage bipartisan cooperation and makes sweeping partisan reforms more challenging.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune previously dismissed the notion of altering Senate rules to end the shutdown, emphasizing the filibuster's role in protecting against detrimental legislation. "The filibuster has been a bulwark against a lot of really bad things happening with the country," Thune remarked. Notably, he indicated he had not received pressure from the White House regarding the filibuster until Trump’s recent statement.
In a surprising shift, Trump has now urged Republicans to leverage their majority in the Senate to abolish the filibuster and reopen the government. "Now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN,’” he stated. Trump warned that failure to act could result in Democrats utilizing their legislative power to implement changes as soon as they take office.
This renewed push from Trump comes amid indications of potential bipartisan progress in Congress, although lawmakers continue to grapple with the reality that a deal remains elusive. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Monday evening, and the clock is ticking towards a historic milestone as the shutdown approaches its 35th day, potentially marking the longest in U.S. history.
The ongoing government shutdown has dire implications for many Americans, with crucial food aid programs set to expire over the weekend, affecting tens of millions. The White House is making efforts to underscore the negative effects of the shutdown, particularly on essential services like air traffic control. On Thursday, they organized a roundtable discussion involving representatives from the airline industry and union leaders to address these concerns.
This developing situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as lawmakers work toward a resolution to the funding impasse and the government shutdown.
