Following a brief return to the U.S., former President Trump took to Truth Social to urge Republicans to abolish the filibuster rule in the Senate, labeling it the “nuclear option.” He argued that eliminating the rule, which requires 60 votes to pass legislation, would grant Republicans “Great Strength” and quickly resolve the ongoing government shutdown. Trump’s call to action echoes similar desires from previous Democratic administrations and is a direct response to the Senate’s failure to pass funding, leading to the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history. While some Republicans have expressed interest, leaders like John Thune and Mike Johnson have expressed opposition to the idea.
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Recent polls suggest that the public holds President Trump and Republicans primarily responsible for the ongoing government shutdown, with nearly half of voters assigning blame. The shutdown, now entering its fourth week, surpasses the duration of the 2019 shutdown, impacting roughly 750,000 federal workers and potentially shrinking GDP by 0.1% to 0.2% weekly, as the deadlock centers on the MAGA agenda. Despite the public concern, the Trump administration continues to blame Democrats, and there’s no immediate end in sight, especially as critical funding programs like SNAP face expiration.
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Former President Donald Trump is urging Senate Republicans to eliminate the legislative filibuster to end the government shutdown, a move progressives had warned about, citing the potential for Republicans to utilize such a tactic. Trump’s demand echoes Democrats’ past efforts to end the filibuster during the Biden presidency, which were ultimately unsuccessful. Should the filibuster be scrapped, it would allow the Republicans to pass legislation with a simple majority. Trump’s push comes as millions face the loss of federal assistance and the potential for rising health insurance costs.
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Recent polls indicate a majority of Americans hold President Trump and Republicans responsible for the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown, stemming from budget disagreements primarily concerning healthcare spending, echoes a similar issue that plagued Trump’s first term. This time around, it may be his undoing, as his healthcare decisions have negatively impacted millions. However, lawmakers are hopeful for progress and potential government reopening in the coming week.
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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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The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll revealed that a significant portion of Americans hold President Trump and Republicans primarily responsible for the government shutdown. Roughly 45% of U.S. adults believe Trump and the GOP are to blame for the shutdown’s negative impacts. This shutdown has led to consequences like potential cuts to anti-hunger benefits, air traffic delays, and furloughed federal workers. These findings underscore the public’s perception of responsibility for the ongoing political stalemate.
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Senator Johnson argued that Democrats are playing games by not reopening the government, threatening paychecks and livelihoods. However, the article suggests a different perspective, stating that Republicans are the ones jeopardizing the well-being of 42 million Americans by holding SNAP benefits hostage to force the Democrats’ hand. Furthermore, despite Johnson’s claim that President Trump had done everything to mitigate the harm, the Trump administration reversed its own policy regarding SNAP contingency funds, adding to the program’s vulnerability during the government shutdown.
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During a recent lunch with Republican senators, Vice President JD Vance faced intense questioning regarding President Trump’s deal to import beef from Argentina. Several senators expressed concerns, particularly about the potential negative impact on American livestock farmers amidst rising beef prices, prompting Vance to humorously request questions unrelated to the topic. Trump’s administration aims to quadruple low-tariff imports from Argentina, which has angered U.S. ranchers who overwhelmingly supported him in the last election, and several Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed concern over the policy. Some, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Representative Adrian Smith, are trying to influence the policy’s implementation, while Trump has defended the move, claiming it benefits ranchers and consumers alike.
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Despite the renewed plea from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to end the government shutdown, Democrats remain steadfast in their stance. While acknowledging the impact on federal workers and the union’s concerns, Democrats are unwilling to compromise until their demands regarding health care costs are met. The prevalent belief among Democrats is that Republicans will be compelled to yield, especially with the upcoming open enrollment period for health insurance. This stalemate is further complicated by the political calculations and differing perspectives between both parties.
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The American public faces a significant affordability crisis, compounded by rising electricity and grocery costs, as well as potential healthcare premium increases. The expiration of ACA tax credits could lead to a doubling of average premiums, potentially plunging millions into medical debt, with a majority of medical debt reports containing errors. This surge in debt will disproportionately impact families, pushing them towards financial hardship. The situation is further exacerbated by potential healthcare cuts and policies that could benefit large corporations, and could be detrimental to working families.
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John Q. Hosedrinker