Trump Calls Senate Republicans to Eliminate Filibuster Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

President Trump is urging the Senate Republican majority to eliminate the filibuster, a procedural rule requiring 60 votes to pass most legislation, to overcome Democratic opposition and end the ongoing federal government shutdown. The shutdown, now in its 30th day, began due to the inability to pass a budget, with Republicans holding only 53 Senate seats, necessitating some Democratic support under current rules. Trump called for the so-called "nuclear option" on his social media platform, emphasizing the need to bypass the filibuster to reopen the government and restore federal operations. The shutdown is causing widespread economic and social impacts, including disruptions to food assistance programs affecting millions of Americans, and is estimated to cut U.S. economic growth significantly. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, criticize Democrats for prolonging the shutdown, attributing it to internal Democratic party conflicts and resistance to compromise. Meanwhile, some Democrats argue the shutdown reflects broader political and electoral strategies, with concerns about the impact on health insurance subsidies and upcoming elections.