President Trump called for the end of the Senate filibuster on Thursday, urging Republicans in a post on Truth Social to "initiate the 'nuclear option.'"
Why it matters: The demand could endanger fragile negotiations to open the government. Senate Republicans privately asked Vice President Vance on Tuesday to get Trump to stop asking about the filibuster, as Axios first reported.
Zoom in: Ending the filibuster would allow the GOP to pass legislation — such as a government funding bill — with just 50 votes in the Senate. It currently takes 60 votes.
- The GOP has only been able to get three of the (at least) seven Democratic votes they need to reach the 60 vote threshold and pass a funding bill.
- Democrats have been withholding their votes for government funding in an attempt to get Republicans to negotiate on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits.
- "Because of the fact that the Democrats have gone stone cold 'crazy,' the choice is clear — initiate the 'nuclear option,' get rid of the filibuster and make America great again!" Trump said on social media.
Between the lines: Back in 2022, then-President Biden suggested that Democrats end the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation.
- Opposition from then-Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) derailed that effort.
Zoom out: Most Senate Republicans — including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) have been publicly and consistently opposed to ending the filibuster.
- Thune earlier in October said the filibuster was a "bulwark against a lot of really bad things happening."
- In the private meeting with lawmakers this week, Vance admitted that Senate Republicans likely don't have the votes to end the filibuster.
The bottom line: This week brought the first glimpses of progress in talks to end the government shutdown.
- Going into tonight, Senate Democrats privately predicted next week would bring significant progress toward a deal.
