Trump calls for Senate filibuster end as shutdown reaches sixth week
Republicans and Democrats found themselves at an impasse regarding the government shutdown over the weekend, now entering its sixth week. This deadlock raises concerns about potential delays or suspensions of food aid for millions of Americans, while President Donald Trump urged GOP leaders to alter Senate rules to bring an end to the situation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Sunday that Trump has engaged in discussions with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson as he has consistently advocated for the termination of the Senate filibuster. However, Republicans have firmly dismissed Trump’s appeals since his initial term, contending that the requirement of 60 votes to overcome any objections in the Senate is essential to the institution and has enabled them to halt Democratic policies while in the minority. Leavitt stated on Sunday that the Democrats are irrational individuals who have not demonstrated any willingness to compromise. President Trump has emphasized that Republicans must adopt a tougher and smarter approach, advocating for the elimination of the filibuster to reopen the government and serve the American public effectively, Leavitt stated.
Democrats have voted thirteen times against reopening the government, denying Republicans the votes in the 53-47 Senate as they insist on negotiations to extend government health care subsidies that will be cut off at the end of the year. Republicans assert that they will not engage in negotiations until the government is reopened. As the two parties remain at an impasse, the shutdown, now entering its 33rd day, seems poised to become the longest in history. The prior record was established in 2019, when Trump insisted that Congress allocate funds for a US-Mexico border wall. Trump’s push on the filibuster may serve as a distraction for Thune and Republican senators, who have chosen to remain focused as the ramifications of the shutdown intensify. This includes increasing missed paychecks for air traffic controllers and other government workers, along with growing uncertainty surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme. Republicans are optimistic that a portion of Democrats will ultimately provide the necessary votes as they conduct multiple votes on a bill aimed at reopening the government. Democrats have maintained their unity thus far; however, certain moderates are engaging in discussions with rank-and-file Republicans regarding possible compromises that might secure votes on health care in return for the government being reopened.
Republicans require the support of five more Democrats to advance their bill. “We need five with a backbone to say we care more about the lives of the American people than about gaining some political leverage,” Thune said on the Senate floor as the Senate left Washington for the weekend on Thursday. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, stated This Week on Sunday that there is a group of individuals discussing “a path to fix the health care debacle and a commitment from Republicans not to fire more federal workers.” However, it remains uncertain whether those discussions will yield a significant compromise. The upcoming week may prove significant for Democrats, as the open enrollment period for health care marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act commenced on November 1. Individuals are beginning to notice increases in premium costs for the coming year, suggesting that it might be too late for immediate adjustments. Democrats are closely monitoring the outcomes of the gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday. As Democrats have urged Trump and Republicans to engage in negotiations, Trump has demonstrated minimal interest in participating. Following a trip to Asia during the government shutdown, he promptly called for an end to the Senate filibuster. Leavitt stated on Sunday that the president had discussions with both Thune and Johnson regarding the filibuster.
However, a spokesman for Thune stated on Friday that his stance remains unchanged, while Johnson remarked on Sunday that Republicans have historically been hesitant to advocate for the abolition of the filibuster, as it serves to shield them from the more extreme tendencies of the far-left Democrat Party. “Trump’s call to end it is a reflection of all of our desperation,” Johnson said. Trump has devoted a significant portion of the shutdown to ridiculing Democrats, sharing videos of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a Mexican sombrero. The White House website features a satirical My Space page aimed at Democrats, serving as a parody of the once-popular social media platform from the early 2000s. “We just love playing politics with people’s livelihoods.” Democrats have consistently asserted that they require Trump to provide his input. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner expressed optimism that the shutdown might conclude this week, citing Trump’s return to Washington. “Republicans can’t move on anything without a Trump sign off,” Warner said. The 35-day shutdown, which spanned from December 2018 to January 2019, concluded when Trump backed down from his demands regarding a border wall. That occurred alongside escalating delays at the nation’s airports and numerous missed paydays for hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on This Week that delays have already occurred at multiple airports due to air traffic controllers not receiving their pay, and the situation is expected to deteriorate further.
Numerous workers face a pivotal choice, he stated. Do I provide food for my children, do I fuel my vehicle, do I cover my rent, or do I go to work without receiving compensation? Decisions are being made. “I have urged everyone to come to work. I want them to come to work, but they’re making life decisions that they shouldn’t have to make,” Duffy said. Additionally, the 42 million Americans who receive SNAP benefits find themselves caught in the crossfire. The Department of Agriculture intended to withhold $8 billion required for payments to the food program beginning Saturday, until two federal judges mandated the administration to provide the necessary funding. House Democratic Leader Jeffries charged that Trump and Republicans are trying to weaponize hunger. He stated that the administration has successfully identified methods for funding alternative priorities during the shutdown, yet is delaying the distribution of SNAP benefits in spite of the court orders. “But somehow they can’t find money to make sure that Americans don’t go hungry,” Jeffries said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during his appearance, stated, “the administration continues to await direction from the courts.” Bessent stated, “The best way for SNAP benefits to get paid is for Democrats – for five Democrats to cross the aisle and reopen the government.”
