WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate returned to session as the nation entered the 37th day of the longest government shutdown in its history. Behind the scenes, tensions are running high as former President Donald Trump pushes Republican leaders to take a drastic step: eliminate the Senate filibuster entirely.
According to *Politico*, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is in talks with Democrats on a temporary measure that would fund certain government operations through next January. However, the plan still needs 60 votes to pass — a threshold Trump now wants to scrap.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump urged lawmakers to act. “It’s time to end the filibuster and get everyone back to work,” he said. “Pass voter ID, stop mail-in voting except for the military, one-day voting, secure the borders, fix immigration — we could do it all ourselves.”
The president’s remarks followed a tense breakfast with Republican senators at the White House, during which he reportedly sparred with Sen. Lindsey Graham. “Lindsey, you and I both know reconciliation only gets you so far,” Trump reportedly said, warning that the GOP was on the verge of becoming “a dead party” if it didn’t embrace bold change.