Trump argues that the rule is the reason the government remains shut down, and that eliminating it would allow Republicans to reopen the government swiftly and advance conservative priorities with a simple majority.
Despite his urgings, Senate Republican leaders remain skeptical. John Thune, Majority Leader, and other GOP senators say they do not currently support scrapping the filibuster, citing its institutional importance.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also defended the rule, calling it a “safeguard in the Senate” even while acknowledging the intra‑party tensions.
What makes this confrontation especially significant is its timing. The shutdown has persisted for so long that public concern has grown intense, and Trump is using the moment to frame a broader battle over legislative power and Republican identity.
For many Republicans, the filibuster is not just procedure — it is a protection. They argue that removing it would expose GOP legislative efforts to Democratic majorities if the party were to lose power.Continue reading…
