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US government shutdown: US President Donald Trump has again urged Republican senators to scrap the filibuster rule in the Senate as the US government shutdown entered Day 32 on Sunday. In a Truth Social post, Trump warned Republicans that Democrats would end the Filibuster and “pack the Supreme Court”, saying they would “add two new states and eight electoral votes.”
What did Trump say to Republicans?“Remember, Republicans, regardless of the Schumer Shutdown, the Democrats will terminate the Filibuster the first chance they get. They will Pack the Supreme Court, pick up two States, and add at least 8 Electoral Votes. Their two objectors are gone!!! Don’t be WEAK AND STUPID. FIGHT,FIGHT, FIGHT! WIN, WIN, WIN!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Donald Trump claimed ending the filibuster rule is “much bigger” than the US government shutdown, and threatens America’s survival. The US President vowed to end the “Extortionist Shutdown”, and ensure the “deranged” Democrats never get another chance to “destroy America”.
“We will immediately END the Extortionist Shutdown, get ALL of our agenda passed, and make life so good for Americans that these DERANGED DEMOCRAT politicians will never again have the chance to DESTROY AMERICA! Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!! BE TOUGH, BE SMART, AND WIN!!! This is much bigger than the Shutdown, this is the survival of our Country!,” Trump wrote.
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Why Trump called for ‘nuclear option’ against filibuster?
Earlier, on October 31, after returning for his Asia trip, Donald Trump had called upon Republicans to invoke the “nuclear option” and end the filibuster rule in the US Senate, arguing it would allow Republican Senators to end the US government shutdown and pass legislation with a simple majority.
“It is now time for the Republicans to play their “TRUMP CARD,” and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!,” Trump had posted on Truth Social.
What is the filibuster rule?The filibuster is a unique tactic employed by US Senators to block passage of bills in the US Senate by conducting long debates with speeches that can last for 24 hours in some cases, delaying legislations even when in minority, as the debates can be extended indefinitely.
Under the practice, one of more senators are deployed to delay or block a vote on legislation or nominations by indefinitely extending debates as Senate rules do not impose any restrictions on speeches.
Critics of the practice call it a loophole often exploited by opponents to create deadlocks in the House and prevent passage of legislations, as filibusters can be theoretically extended indefinitely until 60 senators vote to end the debate and allow voting on a bill. However, proponents argue that filibuster is a means to protect minority rights and promotes compromise, as it allows blocking passage of controversial legislation.
Notably, filibusters are rarely used in practice as the mere threat of an indefinite debate is usually enough to halt Senate business. Historically, continuous speaking on the House floor, known as “talking filibusters”, have been used to civil rights legislation, and in recent decades, as a tool by both parties to block passage of major bills in the US Senate.
Can Republicans abolish filibuster?Under the Senate filibuster rule, the Democrats, who are in minority in US Senate, hold significant influence in blocking bills, effectively limiting the majority’s ability to pass its agenda, and while past reforms have reduced the threshold for confirming judges and nominees to a simple majority, broader legislative changes still require 60 votes, according to The Hill.
With Senate Republicans holding 53 seats, it remains uncertain whether they have enough backing within their ranks to abolish the filibuster entirely, however, in recent days, some GOP lawmakers have increasingly discussed potential rule changes if Democrats do not agree to end the shutdown. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has publicly stated that he opposes weakening the filibuster, The Hill reported.
Even Republicans who have previously supported preserving the filibuster have suggested the possibility of introducing a limited exemption to the 60-vote threshold, specifically to facilitate reopening the government, the report said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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US government shutdown: What is filibuster and why Trump called for 'nuclear option' against it?
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