President Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to abolish the 60-vote filibuster rule, which requires a supermajority vote in order for most bills to pass. The move aims to allow him to reopen the government without Democratic votes.
However, this proposal has sparked immediate resistance from within his own party. Senate Republican leaders, including new Majority Leader John Thune and Whip John Barrasso, have voiced opposition to the plan, saying they will not eliminate the 60-vote threshold.
Several Republican senators, including Jon Husted of Ohio, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, and John Curtis of Utah, have also expressed their disapproval of abolishing the filibuster. They argue that it is a crucial safeguard against extreme legislation and would undermine the minority's ability to hold the majority accountable.
The legislative filibuster has been a cornerstone of Senate procedure since 1975, requiring 60 votes for "cloture" and ensuring passage of most bills over the minority's objections. While Democrats have expressed support for abolishing the rule in the past, they are now embracing it as a way to prevent Republicans from shutting down the government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has also acknowledged that preserving the filibuster is important for maintaining balance and preventing extreme legislation.
The push by President Trump comes after Democrats ran on abolishing the filibuster during their 2024 campaign. Now, with power in their hands, they are taking steps to protect this safeguard against future Republican attempts to eliminate it.
President Trump has argued that abolishing the filibuster would be a strategic move to avoid Democratic attempts to pass sweeping legislation, citing his own experience when Democrats tried to change the Senate rules in 2022. However, so far, Republicans have not made significant progress in convincing their colleagues to support this plan.
However, this proposal has sparked immediate resistance from within his own party. Senate Republican leaders, including new Majority Leader John Thune and Whip John Barrasso, have voiced opposition to the plan, saying they will not eliminate the 60-vote threshold.
Several Republican senators, including Jon Husted of Ohio, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, and John Curtis of Utah, have also expressed their disapproval of abolishing the filibuster. They argue that it is a crucial safeguard against extreme legislation and would undermine the minority's ability to hold the majority accountable.
The legislative filibuster has been a cornerstone of Senate procedure since 1975, requiring 60 votes for "cloture" and ensuring passage of most bills over the minority's objections. While Democrats have expressed support for abolishing the rule in the past, they are now embracing it as a way to prevent Republicans from shutting down the government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has also acknowledged that preserving the filibuster is important for maintaining balance and preventing extreme legislation.
The push by President Trump comes after Democrats ran on abolishing the filibuster during their 2024 campaign. Now, with power in their hands, they are taking steps to protect this safeguard against future Republican attempts to eliminate it.
President Trump has argued that abolishing the filibuster would be a strategic move to avoid Democratic attempts to pass sweeping legislation, citing his own experience when Democrats tried to change the Senate rules in 2022. However, so far, Republicans have not made significant progress in convincing their colleagues to support this plan.