Thune Lacks Support for Filibuster Override

Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed on Monday that he doesn’t have sufficient backing from fellow Republicans to activate what’s known as the “nuclear option” to change the Senate’s filibuster rules.

“The votes are not in,” Thune (R-SD) told reporters, as noted in a recent article. When asked if he had spoken with President Trump about the situation, he responded with a chuckle, “oh yeah.”

Last week, President Trump urged Senate Republicans to modify procedural rules that currently require at least 60 votes to advance any legislation.

Trump argued that Republicans could resolve the “country-destroying” government shutdown—now in its 34th day—by using a simple majority, even if they don’t meet the 60-vote requirement.

“It’s time for Republicans to play their trump card and move forward with the so-called nuclear option. Abolish the filibuster and abolish it now!” Trump asserted in a post on Truth Social last Thursday.

This call to action was reiterated during a Sunday interview on “60 Minutes.” Trump commented on Thune and others, noting, “I know John isn’t like that, and John and a few others are, but you know, Republicans have to get tougher.” This was in reference to their hesitation to set a precedent that could be exploited by Democrats should they regain control of the Senate.

“I disagree with him on this point,” Trump stated regarding Thune’s support for the filibuster.

In his speech at the 119th Congress, Thune defended the filibuster as a mechanism “intended by the Founders” to ensure that the Senate maintains its distinguished role.

He explained, “They reduced the size of the Senate and extended senators’ terms. The objective is to cultivate a more stable, thoughtful, and deliberative legislative body that can check imprudent and excessive legislation while safeguarding the rights of the American populace.”

During former President Joe Biden’s administration, Senate Democrats attempted to eliminate the filibuster but were unsuccessful. They encountered resistance from centrist Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, both of whom later registered as independents.

Since the government shutdown commenced on October 1, all but three Democrats have repeatedly voted against House-passed bills intended to fund the government through November 21.

To overcome the filibuster threshold, Republicans need the support of five additional Democrats.