Overview
- Trump urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster in a Politico interview and on Truth Social, claiming it would prevent another shutdown and enable the party’s agenda.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued in a Washington Post op‑ed that Democrats’ use of the filibuster drove the 43‑day shutdown and cited harms including $11 billion in permanent losses, a 1.5‑point GDP hit, 9,500 canceled flights, and 1.4 million delayed paychecks.
- A stopgap funding measure expires on Jan. 30, raising the prospect of another budget standoff under current Senate rules.
- Internal resistance persists, with Sen. John Kennedy telling Trump the filibuster is not going anywhere and broader Senate support lacking for related changes such as ending blue slips.
- Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority, leaving little margin to pass legislation on party‑line votes even if leaders press for procedural changes.