GOP Rejects Trump's Call to End Filibuster

President Trump used Truth Social to urge Senate Republicans to invoke the “nuclear option” and abolish the 60-vote filibuster to reopen the government amid a monthlong shutdown. Senate GOP leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune and No. 2 Sen. John Barrasso, quickly and publicly rejected the proposal, calling the filibuster a vital safeguard. Republicans hold 53 seats, so eliminating the filibuster would allow them to pass spending without Democratic votes, but many senators warned the move could backfire if Democrats later retake the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the filibuster while downplaying his role in a Senate rule change, and the dispute exposed a rare split between the White House and congressional Republicans. Leaders said they are not considering changes to Senate rules at this time.