President Donald Trump has called on Senate Republicans to invoke the “nuclear option” and eliminate the filibuster, as the government shutdown stretches into its fourth week.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, following his Asia trip, Trump reflected on the current state of governance. He mentioned that a recurring question during his travels was how the Democrats had managed to shut down the government, and why Republican leaders allowed it to happen.
“Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson are doing a GREAT job,” Trump stated, while labeling Democrats as “Crazed Lunatics” out of touch with reality.
He further argued that Democrats are using the shutdown as leverage to demand significant funding cuts from healthcare systems for various nonessential programs.
“This will hurt American citizens, and Republicans will not let it happen,” Trump insisted. “It’s time for Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD’ and eliminate the filibuster—now!”
Trump pointed out that during Biden’s presidency, Democrats attempted to abolish the filibuster to protect abortion rights but lacked unanimous backing, resulting in failure.
The filibuster typically necessitates a supermajority of 60 votes for legislation to pass, which empowers the minority party and restricts the majority’s influence.
Currently, Republicans are promoting a bill to fund the government through late November, which Democrats have opposed on multiple occasions, criticizing the insufficient allocation for Affordable Care Act subsidies due by year-end.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate with 53 seats. Most backed the funding bill during the latest vote, except for Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Notably, some Democrats, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Angus King (I-Maine), supported the bill as well. However, the bill only received 54 votes, falling short of the required 60.
Interestingly, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed his opposition to weakening the filibuster.
The ongoing shutdown has resulted in many government employees being furloughed or working without compensation throughout October. The shortage of air traffic controllers has led to flight delays in various airports, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will soon face disruptions on November 1st.
This shutdown is being labeled by Republicans as the “Schumer Shutdown,” named after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. It has now become the second-longest shutdown, following a previous one during Trump’s first term in 2019.
