Trump Urges Republicans to Finish Filibuster Amid Shutdown Impasse
Former President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Republican senators to eliminate the filibuster, arguing it’s a necessary step to overcome the current political gridlock. His calls approach as a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse continues to disrupt airport security and fuel a broader political standoff.
“Chuck Schumer, a desperate, crippled politician, who has lost control of the Radical Left Democrats, will make a deal now as he thinks that if he doesn’t, Republicans will TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, something which they should do whether he makes a deal or not!!!” Trump asserted on Thursday morning in a post on his Truth Social platform. He followed with another post simply stating, “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!”
DHS Funding Stalled
The political stalemate has led to disruptions at airports, with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay, leading some to depart or call out sick. Fox News reported that Democrats recently blocked DHS funding after Republicans rejected a counter proposal, with Senator John Thune stating that Senator Chuck Schumer is “going in circles.”
What is the Filibuster?
The filibuster is a procedural tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill or other measure. Traditionally, it involved a senator speaking for an extended period to prevent a vote. But, modern rules allow a senator to simply signal their intention to filibuster, requiring 60 votes to end debate and proceed to a vote – a threshold known as cloture.
Why Eliminate the Filibuster?
Eliminating or weakening the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass legislation with a simple majority, circumventing the demand for Democratic support. Trump argued that this is essential to advance Republican priorities and enact policies like the “SAVE AMERICA ACT.”
Schumer’s Response
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has not yet directly responded to Trump’s latest demands, but C-SPAN records Schumer previously criticizing Trump’s decisions. Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Politico notes that Trump’s insistence on eliminating the filibuster has faced political rebukes, but he remains steadfast in his demand.
Facebook reports that Schumer quickly embraced Trump’s call to terminate the filibuster.
Newsmax as well covered Trump’s statements on the filibuster.
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