The nation entered its 38th day of a government shutdown, a stalemate that reached a fever pitch as the President publicly demanded action from Republicans. He insisted they dismantle a key Senate procedure – the filibuster – to force through legislation and, crucially, to address election security concerns.
The Senate, responding to mounting pressure, convened a rare Saturday session. Majority Leader John Thune worked to keep senators engaged, focused on finding a path to reopen the government and break the deadlock that had gripped Washington.
A “pure spending bill” was slated for a vote as early as Sunday, designed to fund essential government functions. However, this new proposal reportedly wouldn’t include concessions sought by Democrats regarding Affordable Care Act subsidies, setting the stage for continued conflict.
The President, meanwhile, framed the situation as a sign of Democratic weakness. He claimed they were “cracking” under pressure, fueled by fear that Republicans might finally move to eliminate the filibuster – a move he has repeatedly advocated for.
His calls for Republicans to “blow up” the filibuster grew more insistent. He argued it was the key to unlocking a wave of policy victories, citing voter ID laws as just one example, and dismissing any opposition as the mark of a “loser.”
The President outlined a sweeping agenda that could be advanced if the filibuster were removed. This included restrictions on mail-in voting, changes to bail reform, and policies regarding transgender athletes and benefits for undocumented immigrants.
However, resistance to the idea was building within the Republican ranks. Several senators, including Majority Leader Thune, publicly stated their opposition to eliminating the filibuster, effectively making the President’s demand unattainable.
Thune bluntly stated that changing the Senate rules was “just not happening,” signaling a clear unwillingness to fundamentally alter the legislative process despite the President’s strong urging and the ongoing shutdown.
The President continued to emphasize the potential benefits of ending the filibuster, questioning why Republicans wouldn’t seize the opportunity to enact long-sought policies, especially given his belief that Democrats would do the same if they held the power.
