Trump Demands Senate Republicans Use the ‘NUCLEAR OPTION’ and ‘GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER’
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
President Donald Trump called on Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The federal government partially shut down on Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill to keep the government open. Although Republicans control the Senate 53-47, 60 votes are required to invoke cloture, which ends debate on legislation before a simple up-and-down vote is taken on a bill. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his conference are withholding their support of the Republican funding bill until it is amended to include an extension of healthcare premium subsidies for Obamacare recipients. Republicans have refused to budge as the subsidies are set to expire on Dec. 31.
Adding to the drama is the fact that benefits under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program – commonly called food stamps – are set to expire on Nov. 1. Republicans have said Democrats will be to blame if that happens.
On Thursday night, Trump expressed frustration with the lack of movement in the Senate. Rather than call on Republicans to cut a deal, he demanded on Truth Social that they eliminate the filibuster:
….BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE STONE COLD “CRAZY,” THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE “NUCLEAR OPTION,” GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
In a subsequent post, Trump reiterated his demand to end the filibuster.
The filibuster is not enshrined in the Constitution or in statute. Rather, it is a Senate rule that many senators revere as a sacrosanct policy that gives the minority party a say. If so inclined, Senate Republicans can change the rule via a simple majority vote.
Two weeks ago, Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) was asked if the White House had urged him to consider eliminating the filibuster.
“There’s always a lot of swirl out there, as you know, from social media, et cetera, but no, I have not had that conversation,” Thune said.
Last week, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania urged his Republican colleagues to eliminate the filibuster.
On the other side of the aisle, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has introduced a bill that would extend funding for SNAP. Schumer said Democrats would for the legislation if Thune brings it to the floor, but Thune has so far declined to do so.
