Sen. Ron Johnson Advocates for Ending Senate Filibuster Amid DHS Funding Dispute

On “Sunday Morning Futures,” Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed that Republicans should consider abolishing the Senate filibuster. He suggested that the current 60-vote requirement for overcoming the filibuster is impeding necessary actions related to border and homeland security, particularly as lawmakers negotiate funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Johnson criticized Democrats, labeling their actions as “disgusting” and “obstructive,” and he attributed the ongoing government shutdown to their refusal to provide funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without first agreeing to a reform proposal for the agency.

Republicans in Wisconsin have indicated that Democrats are likely to continue stalling budget votes under the current leadership. They also predict that if they regain a majority, they might lift the filibuster.

“From a filibuster standpoint, the division in the Senate is between those who believe that the Democratic Party will end it when they next hold power and those hoping it won’t happen,” Johnson remarked.

Under current rules, the filibuster enables senators to delay or obstruct most major legislation unless 60 of them vote to end discussions. Johnson contended that the stalemate would persist until this threshold is changed.

He urged Congress to reconsider the route it takes, suggesting it should lean toward reconciliation. This is a specialized budget process that allows specific changes to move through more swiftly than standard legislation. “Let’s secure as much DHS funding as we can, go to reconciliation, and work towards a bill that addresses DHS funding through fiscal year 2029,” he proposed.

Furthermore, Johnson acknowledged he lacks sufficient Republican support to override the filibuster at the moment. Still, he asserted that the Senate’s complex rules are hampering progress. “My colleagues say, ‘We don’t want to be responsible for breaking the Senate. How can we make it even more broken?’” he questioned.

He also added, “When we’re at war… potential threats could be emerging while we struggle to fund agencies responsible for our safety. I really can’t see it getting much worse, so I support eliminating the 60-vote requirement and ending the filibuster.”