Trump’s Big Move: Pushing to End the Filibuster Amid the Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump is raising the stakes in Washington as the ongoing federal government shutdown drags on into what could be the longest halt in U.S. history. He has turned his focus to a longstanding Senate procedure, demanding the elimination of the filibuster as the path forward.

The shutdown, now entering its 30s day, has triggered disruptions across government services, leaving federal employees unpaid, programs stalled and public frustration mounting. In this fraught environment, Trump has made a bold push: scrap the 60‑vote requirement in the United States Senate, and let the majority party act unencumbered.

During a breakfast meeting at the White House with Republican senators, Trump reportedly challenged party leaders, saying that unless they remove the filibuster, the GOP risks becoming “a dead party” unable to enact its agenda.

The filibuster is a Senate rule requiring 60 votes to bring most legislation to the floor. Republicans currently hold a 53‑seat majority — meaning the rule effectively gives the minority party a blockade power.Continue reading…