Senate Republicans Resist ‘Nuclear Option’ as Shutdown Stalls
Senate Republicans are seeking to reopen the government but are avoiding the ‘nuclear option’ to change the filibuster rules, which would require Democratic support. Despite multiple failed attempts, only three Democrats have joined the GOP’s bid to pass a continuing resolution. The ongoing government shutdown has entered its second week, heightening tensions between the two parties.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Republicans need at least eight Democratic votes to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold. However, the current standoff reflects deepening partisan rifts, as Democrats demand specific concessions before supporting the resolution. Republicans have already used the ‘nuclear option’ to unilaterally change Senate rules to advance Trump’s nominees, but many within the party are resistant to repeating that strategy.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., has explicitly stated that he would never support changing the rules. ‘Never, never, ever, never, none,’ he said, emphasizing that the filibuster remains a critical tool for the Democratic party. This resistance highlights the internal divide within the GOP regarding the use of procedural tactics to override opposition.
The last time the filibuster was under consideration was in 2022 when Democrats sought to implement a ‘talking filibuster’ to pass voting rights legislation. However, the effort was blocked by then-Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who have since left the Senate. This precedent shows that even when the majority party seeks to alter the rules, there is significant pushback, particularly from members who benefit from the current system.
Republicans are not actively discussing changes to the filibuster, with Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., noting that the focus remains on the Democrats’ position being ‘untenable.’ The ongoing stalemate also highlights how the filibuster influences the nature of the legislation, as spending bills like a continuing resolution are often bipartisan to pass through the Senate. However, Democrats have criticized the GOP’s bill as partisan, arguing that they had no input before it passed through the House.
Frustrations have escalated as both parties continue to hold firm. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., publicly clashed with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., over the shutdown. Similarly, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., have engaged in a heated exchange. These public confrontations underscore the growing tension between the two parties as the government remains closed.
Currently, most Senate Democratic caucus members are firm in their stance, insisting that they will not support Republicans to reopen the government unless a deal on expiring Obamacare tax credits is reached. Republicans, however, have made it clear that negotiations on extending the subsidies, with reforms, can happen only after the government is reopened. This impasse continues to deepen the crisis, with the government remaining in a shutdown that has yet to see a resolution.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stands as the lone Democratic senator who has consistently voted with Republicans on reopening the government. He has suggested that the GOP may need to reconsider the filibuster rules to prevent future government shutdowns, stating that ‘if you’re able to get out of the filibuster to prevent either party to make it a lot harder to shut the government down, I’d absolutely support that.’
As the shutdown crisis continues, both parties face significant political and procedural challenges. The resistance to the ‘nuclear option’ reflects a broader unwillingness to change the status quo, even in the face of a prolonged government shutdown. The upcoming weeks may bring further developments, but for now, the stalemate continues to dominate the political landscape.