Trump Warns GOP on Senate Filibuster Abolition Amid Government Shutdown

As the U.S. federal government shutdown extends beyond a month, President Donald Trump has called for the elimination of the Senate filibuster to break the stalemate and reopen the government. Trump warned Republicans they would regret not ending the filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes to pass legislation, arguing it enables Democrats to prolong the shutdown and push their agenda unchecked. Republican Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Clay Higgins have expressed support for changing Senate rules to allow simple majority votes to pass funding bills, while others like Senator Tim Scott caution against abolishing the filibuster, fearing it could lead to significant political shifts such as court packing and statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico. Congressman Chip Roy supports reevaluating the filibuster threshold, emphasizing the need to stop Democratic obstructionism, especially regarding urgent issues like continuing resolutions. The debate reflects deep divisions within the Republican Party between those advocating for preserving Senate traditions and those favoring more aggressive tactics to counter Democrats and end the shutdown.