Overview
- At a Nov. 5 White House breakfast, President Trump urged Senate Republicans to "terminate the filibuster" to pass a GOP funding bill and reopen the government.
- Several Republicans signaled new openness, with Sen. John Cornyn entertaining a carve-out for appropriations and Sens. Ron Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, Josh Hawley and Jim Banks voicing support for changes.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated that Republicans do not have the votes to abolish the 60‑vote threshold, a stance echoed by McConnell, Tillis, Cruz and Murkowski.
- Republicans hold a 53–47 majority, and ending the filibuster via the "nuclear option" would allow simple-majority passage, though opponents warn it would empower Democrats when control flips.
- Trump argued on Truth Social that Democrats would end the filibuster if they regain power, while supporters cite shutdown harms such as threatened SNAP benefits to justify reconsidering Senate rules.