President Trump is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster so that the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.
“THE CHOICE IS CLEAR: INITIATE THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION,’ GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER,” Trump posted Thursday night on his social media site, Truth Social.
The filibuster is a long-standing Senate tactic used to delay or block votes on legislation by prolonging debate. Overcoming a filibuster requires 60 votes in the full Senate, giving Democrats a check on the 53-seat Republican majority. This dynamic contributed to the start of the government shutdown on October 1, coinciding with the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Mr. Trump’s call to end the filibuster could significantly change how the Senate and congressional dealmaking operate. He noted in his post that he gave “a great deal” of thought to this choice while on his flight back from Asia on Thursday.
CBS News has reached out to Senate Majority Leader John Thune for comment. The Senate adjourned on Thursday and is not scheduled to meet again until Monday.
During the past week, Mr. Trump met with foreign leaders in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, concluding his tour with a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The president declared the trip a success, citing a trade truce with China and planned foreign investment in American industries.
However, he expressed frustration over domestic politics, questioning why “powerful Republicans allowed” Democrats to shut down parts of the government.
His call to end the filibuster comes at a time when certain senators and House Speaker Mike Johnson believe it is time to end the government shutdown. It remains unclear whether lawmakers will follow Mr. Trump’s lead or seek negotiation paths with Democrats.
From coast to coast, the fallout from the federal government shutdown is becoming increasingly apparent. In Alaska, residents are stockpiling moose, caribou, and fish to prepare for winter, even before SNAP food aid is scheduled to be cut off.
In Maine, people are filling their home-heating oil tanks but are still waiting on federal subsidies that have yet to materialize.
Airport flights are being delayed amid the approaching holiday travel period, federal workers are going without paychecks, and Americans are beginning to experience soaring health care insurance costs—an issue central to the Capitol Hill stalemate.
“People are stressing,” said Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, as food options in her state grow scarce. “We are well past time to have this behind us.”
While quiet bipartisan talks are underway, the shutdown is not expected to end before Saturday’s deadline. At that point, the food insecurity affecting one in eight Americans—who depend on government assistance to have enough to eat—could become starkly apparent if federal SNAP funds run dry.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-calls-on-senate-republicans-to-get-rid-of-the-filibuster/