President Donald Trump issued a fierce demand to Republican lawmakers Wednesday demanding they eliminate a Senate procedure to clear the way for his administration’s legislative priorities, alongside an ominous threat to those who may defy him.
“Republicans, Terminate the Filibuster and bring back the American Dream,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “If you don’t do it, the Dems will, and you’ll never see office again!”
Trump has increased his calls on GOP lawmakers in recent weeks to eliminate the filibuster, a procedural rule in the Senate that allows members to block a measure that receives less than 60 votes. His calls come amid the ongoing government shutdown, which as of Friday is on its 38th day, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
“Just say NO (Nuclear Option!),” Trump wrote in a subsequent post on Truth Social. “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!”
Sparked by disagreements over government health care policy, the Senate failed to adopt a spending bill by the fiscal-year deadline of Oct. 1, with a temporary spending bill that would re-open the government repeatedly coming just shy of 60 votes. Were the filibuster to be eliminated, however, a simple majority would be enough to adopt the temporary spending measure.
In addition to re-opening the government, Trump has also championed the idea of eliminating the filibuster as a means to force through a number of his policy agenda items, including “no men in women’s sports,” eliminating “Transgender for Everybody,” and instituting more tax cuts.
While Trump has managed to sway a key GOP senator to consider supporting the elimination of the filibuster, others remain skeptical, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who, despite not having the authority to eliminate the Senate filibuster, openly defied Trump on his demand, warning that doing so could allow for Democrats to pursue their “worst impulses” should they retake the majority in Congress.