Summary
President Donald Trump has urged Senate Republicans to use the "nuclear option" to end the government shutdown by removing the filibuster. The shutdown began because Democrats and Republicans couldn't agree on a new federal budget. The filibuster allows the minority party to block Senate legislation, but the "nuclear option" could change that with a simple majority vote.
Key Facts
- President Trump wants Republicans to end the filibuster to reopen the government.
- The U.S. government shutdown started on October 1 due to budget disagreements.
- Around 1.4 million federal workers are affected, either working without pay or on unpaid leave.
- The filibuster lets minority Senate members prevent bills from passing.
- A simple majority in the Senate can change filibuster rules through the "nuclear option."
- The Senate currently has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.
- The shutdown is the second-longest in U.S. history as of October 31.
- Republicans can't pass the spending bill without some Democratic support.
