Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said there’s not enough support within the Republican Party to eliminate the filibuster, a move that President Donald Trump has been pushing for as the government shutdown reaches its fifth week. Thune made the comments during a press briefing, indicating that the chamber’s procedural rules are not in jeopardy despite the administration’s demands.
“The votes aren’t there,” Thune told reporters, referring to the lack of Republican backing for removing the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation in the Senate. The Senate Majority Leader has been in discussions with Trump about the issue, though he did not specify when these conversations took place. Thune questioned whether Trump’s campaign against the filibuster should come as a surprise given the president’s history of advocating for such changes.
Trump, who supported the elimination of the filibuster during his first term as president, has renewed his call for reform late last week. This move comes as the government shutdown continues to stall, with Senate Democrats remaining opposed to a House-passed stopgap spending bill. GOP senators and senior Republican aides have quickly dismissed Trump’s demand, but the president has continued to push for the change, making it clear that his stance is not waning.
“TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, NOT JUST FOR THE SHUTDOWN, BUT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, showing the gravity of his position on the issue. The president’s continued emphasis on the topic has highlighted the internal divide within the Republican Party, with some members supporting the move and others remaining cautious. This situation illustrates the tension between executive and legislative branches, as well as the broader implications of procedural changes in the Senate.
The Senate Majority Leader’s comments also suggest that the Republican leadership may be wary of moving too quickly on procedural changes, especially at a time when the chamber is under political pressure. Thune’s statement emphasizes that the filibuster remains a key part of the Senate’s operations, and any attempts to eliminate it may face significant resistance within the party. The situation will likely continue to evolve as Trump and his allies push for reform, while Republican senators remain divided on the matter.