Overview
- President Trump used Truth Social to press Republicans to “terminate the filibuster,” arguing it would end the shutdown and warning Democrats would otherwise pack the Supreme Court and add new states.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson said the push reflects the president’s frustration and desperation to reopen government services, citing veterans’ care and SNAP as examples.
- Senate leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune, have publicly opposed abolishing or weakening the filibuster, though some Republicans are discussing a narrow, temporary exemption to pass funding.
- The continuing shutdown has triggered legal action from more than two dozen states seeking to compel USDA to maintain SNAP benefits, with courts weighing how far the administration can go during the funding lapse.
- Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, leaving uncertainty over whether they could marshal enough internal support to end the filibuster after repeated failed attempts to pass short‑term funding.