President Donald Trump delivered remarks Wednesday at a breakfast with Republican senators at the White House. President Trump urged Senate Republicans at the White House to end the 60-vote filibuster, calling it a “tragic mistake” to keep the rule in place as the federal government shutdown reached its 36th day. He told GOP senators he would ultimately “go by your wishes” but argued eliminating the threshold is the fastest way to reopen the government.
Trump said Democrats “have no interest” in a compromise and told Republicans to “do what they have to do” to pass laws without Democratic votes. The shutdown has strained federal services and disrupted programs nationwide.
Republican leaders signaled they are not on board. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP senators, including John Curtis and Lisa Murkowski, have reiterated opposition to changing Senate rules, saying the filibuster protects the minority, reported by AP. Trump made a similar push to end the filibuster during his first term, which also failed to gain traction.
The standoff centers on whether any funding bill should include an extension of health-care subsidies, The Hill reported. No rule-change vote has been scheduled, and key Republicans continue to resist the “nuclear option,” AP reported.
What’s next: Senate Republicans face mounting pressure to break the impasse without eroding a chamber norm they may need in the future
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