The filibuster has long been a sensitive topic among Senate Republicans, but lately, there’s been a noticeable shift. President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire to do away with this process, and it seems his calls are starting to resonate.
The filibuster, which requires a 60-vote threshold for most Senate bills, often necessitates bipartisan support, particularly given the recent minority status of both parties. This has posed challenges for the Republicans, especially recently as they faced hurdles like the failed attempt to amend Obamacare.
Notably, some prominent Senate Republicans are now considering a change in their stance regarding the filibuster. After ongoing pressure from Trump and the complications arising from a 43-day government shutdown, opinions are evolving.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) is one such Republican. He mentioned he’s now “seriously considering” the matter. Just a few months back, he firmly ruled out any possibility of changing the rules after Trump had urged Republicans to stand firm against the filibuster.
Now, he admits the implications of the recent government shutdown have made him reflect. “The spending process seems slow, and honestly, it appears that the Democrats don’t want to make progress,” he noted. He expressed caution about fully eliminating the filibuster, feeling it could endanger Republican objectives.
Trump has echoed similar sentiments, urging Republicans to act, saying the looming January 30 deadline makes overcoming the filibuster essential, even if some party members seem unable to articulate their reasons against it.
However, many still believe that altering the filibuster is far-fetched. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remains steadfast in his belief that the filibuster should remain untouched. Even within Thune’s leadership circle, there are mixed feelings.
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) recently expressed his thoughts, questioning whether Democrats would hesitate to eliminate procedural shields should they regain control. “If we think they would, maybe we should act first,” he commented.
There are varied opinions on this issue among Republicans. While some see a need for reform, others, like Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), are skeptical, feeling that significant change is unlikely. Meanwhile, Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) remarked that Republicans should prioritize using the tools they already have to address pressing issues.
Kennedy advocated for additional budget reconciliation efforts, recalling how Republicans successfully passed key legislation earlier this year. He emphasized that while not everything is feasible, there’s still a considerable amount they can achieve, regardless of differing viewpoints among senators.
