By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump urged Senate Republicans to utilize the “nuclear option” to abolish the filibuster, enabling them to bypass the current government shutdown with a simple majority vote. He cited concerns from his recent trip to Asia and argued Democrats would eliminate the filibuster if given the opportunity. While some Senate Republicans have discussed rule changes, it remains uncertain if they have sufficient support to entirely eliminate the filibuster, especially with Senate Majority Leader John Thune opposing any weakening of it.
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Trump calls on Republicans to use the ‘nuclear option’ and get rid of the Senate filibuster. This is a bold move, and it’s certainly generating a lot of buzz. Essentially, Trump wants Republicans in Congress to ditch the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring a supermajority to pass legislation, to swiftly end a government shutdown. His reasoning? He believes it will allow them to quickly enact their agenda, fix what he sees as the “disaster” of Obamacare, and prevent Democrats from implementing policies like statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., which he claims they’d do if they had the chance.
The call to eliminate the filibuster is significant because it’s a procedural weapon both parties have wielded to block legislation when they are in the minority. If Republicans get rid of it, they open the door to passing their desired policies with a simple majority. However, the flip side is that Democrats could do the same thing when they eventually regain control. That’s a key consideration.
The consequences of such a move are complex. One major one is that it would put all the blame squarely on the Republicans if they eliminate the filibuster. They’d own the fallout from any unpopular policies they enact. If healthcare costs go up, if civil rights are weakened, or if the economy falters, the Republicans would be held accountable. And if the Democrats gain control again, they can easily pass their legislation too.
The suggestion raises a number of questions. Why is Trump pushing this now? Is it a strategic move to show strength, or is it a sign of desperation? One possibility is that he believes Republicans won’t be in the minority again and will be able to do whatever they want. On the other hand, it could be a gamble that will alienate the public. It’s a high-stakes game that could have repercussions for years to come.
There’s also the question of whether Republicans will actually go along with it. Many Republican senators value the filibuster because it is a tool they could use when they’re in the minority. And it’s true that the filibuster has been a check on power, forcing compromise. Eliminating it, some argue, would usher in an era of legislative chaos, where bills can be rushed through without proper vetting or input from the minority party.
Trump’s demand, then, is a calculated risk. It could give Republicans the power they crave, but it could also come back to haunt them. As many have pointed out, if Republicans get rid of the filibuster, all the responsibility for their actions will be placed on their shoulders. This is a very interesting development and one that will have implications for the future of American politics.