Thune rejects Trump's call to nuke the filibuster to end government shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune's office on Friday indicated that the leader's position has not changed on whether to use the nuclear option to bypass the filibuster and end the government shutdown, despite pressure from the White House.

Thune last week dismissed the possibility of nuking the filibuster as a “bad idea," but on Thursday night President Donald Trump urged the Senate to use the tactic, which would circumvent Democratic opposition to a bill that would restore funding through Nov. 21. The proposition comes as the government shutdown enters its 31st day.

“Leader Thune’s position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged,” a spokesman for Thune told NewsNation.

Several other Republican senators have also opposed eliminating the filibuster, which requires legislation to have 60 votes to pass, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who cautioned it would set a bad precedent if Republicans used the maneuver now. 

“The filibuster has traditionally been viewed as a very important safeguard. If the shoe was on the other foot, I don’t think our team would like it,” Johnson said.

The Senate is now out for the weekend and will not return to vote on the funding bill until Monday.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.