Sen. Ron Johnson Warns of Filibuster Changes
On Sunday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed concern that Republicans might face significant challenges unless they acknowledge the impending changes to the filibuster under a potential Democratic trifecta. He characterized this shift as a “nuclear attack” aimed at maintaining power and suggested that Republicans should consider adopting a similar approach to counteract government shutdowns.
In an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Johnson stated, “Everyone in the Senate right now is pledging to nuke the filibuster,” underscoring his belief that Democratic senators and candidates are likely to commit to such actions. “When they get into power, we need to stop them… They’re going to nuke the filibuster to stay in power,” he added.
He also aligned himself with former President Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to utilize the nuclear option to bypass the 60-vote requirement in the Senate, which is necessary for most legislation, and ultimately to reopen the government.
These dialogues come amid a trend where one party often maintains a slim majority in the Senate, making bipartisan support essential to advance legislation. Democrats have been advocating for an end to the filibuster, which currently necessitates a 50-vote threshold to pass legislation.
In a recent scenario, a majority in the Senate approved measures to keep the government shut down, suggesting that without the filibuster, this prolonged shutdown might have been avoided.
“We have a lot of work to do. You can see it in the way they’re obstructing it. They’re shutting down the government because they don’t want the economy to be strong. They don’t want President Trump to get credit for these things,” Johnson mentioned, emphasizing the political maneuvering he perceives behind the obstruction.
He emphasized the necessity for Republicans to act preemptively, claiming that Democrats would block beneficial legislation led by Trump and the Republicans. Johnson also highlighted that Republicans should leverage the 50-vote threshold for “good things,” including border security and addressing issues created by Obamacare. “For Democrats, it’s all about power,” he concluded, reiterating his stance on the growing divide in legislative strategies.
