Trump wants to shatter the filibuster, another Senate norm. Republicans are pushing back.

Donald Trump is pressuring Republicans to end the Senate filibuster to reopen the government and advance GOP priorities. This move, known as the "nuclear option," would allow legislation to pass with a simple majority instead of the current sixty votes. While beneficial for the party in power, it could disadvantage Republicans if Democrats regain control of the Senate. Ending the filibuster would bypass the need for bipartisan cooperation, enabling Republicans to unilaterally pass bills. Trump has advocated for this change since his first term, but Republican leadership, such as Mitch McConnell and John Thune, has largely resisted. They argue the filibuster forces compromise and ensures minority parties have a voice. An easier path to ending the filibuster involves a simple majority vote to reinterpret Senate rules, circumventing a formal rule change. Republicans can also utilize the reconciliation process for certain budget bills, with Vice President JD Vance potentially overriding the parliamentarian's advice. Despite Trump's persistence, most Senate Republicans are expected to maintain the filibuster, recognizing its potential future benefit to their party. They recall Democrats seeking to end it to codify abortion rights, highlighting the partisan implications. While the filibuster is likely to remain, Trump's influence on his party could reignite this debate.