Senate Majority Leader John Thune has dismissed speculation that Republicans would use the so-called “nuclear option” to end the government shutdown, rejecting calls to eliminate the legislative filibuster. Thune stated that the White House has not urged this move and that he has not engaged in discussions about it. This stance aligns with broader GOP resistance to eliminating the filibuster, a rule that many senators view as a critical check on majority power. John Barrass, and Mike Johnson have also expressed opposition to the idea, highlighting the internal GOP divide over the procedural change.