Summary
President Donald Trump asked the Senate to end the filibuster to resolve the current U.S. government shutdown. Republican Senate leaders quickly opposed this idea, emphasizing the importance of the filibuster as a Senate rule. The government has been shut down for over a month due to disagreements between parties.
Key Facts
- President Trump urged the Senate to stop using the filibuster to end the government shutdown.
- The filibuster requires 60 votes to overcome objections in the Senate and currently allows Democrats, the minority, to block actions.
- Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are against changing the filibuster rule.
- The Senate is split 53 to 47, with Republicans in the majority.
- Senate leaders argue that the filibuster forces bipartisan compromise.
- The shutdown has lasted for 31 days with ongoing political disagreements over healthcare subsidies.
- Trump has not actively engaged with Democratic leaders to resolve the shutdown.
- Talks to end the shutdown continue among bipartisan senators.
