Overview
- After GOP election setbacks, President Trump pressed senators at the White House to end the 60‑vote hurdle, casting it as key to passing his agenda and reopening the government.
- Majority Leader John Thune reiterated that “the votes aren’t there,” with Republicans including John Curtis and Lisa Murkowski publicly opposing elimination of the rule.
- The chamber’s 53–47 partisan split leaves Republicans short of the 60 votes needed to advance funding legislation, which Democrats are blocking to seek extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
- Trump and allies urge using the “nuclear option,” a simple‑majority maneuver that could be applied broadly or limited to spending bills, echoing narrower precedent set in 2013 and 2017 for nominations.
- The shutdown has entered its second month, intensifying pressure on both parties as debate continues over whether to pursue a targeted change or leave the filibuster intact.