Rule allows minority party to block legislation, but GOP is reluctant to scrap it as they could lose majority
Donald Trump has floated the idea of ending the filibuster – a procedural technique in Congress that allows a minority of senators to block legislation from passing – which would make pushing through his political agenda in 2026 much easier.
In an interview with Politico, Trump urged Republicans in the Senate to scrap the filibuster, saying it had become an obstacle to effective governing and removing it would prevent another government shutdown and pave the way for his party to push through its legislative priorities.
Scraping the arcane-sounding legislative device is sometimes favored by the party with a majority in the Senate, but opposed by the other because it allows them to use their minority status to block legislation from passing
Senators typically back off from proposals to end it, because they don’t want to get steamrolled by a simple majority when the balance of power shifts again. Centrists in both parties typically oppose ending the filibuster as a way to defend against partisan political excesses.
Ironically this is what caused Schumer to fold the Medicare cuts in the budget because he also didn’t want the filibuster to go away.
At this point I say scrap it. I’m tired of having 600+ legislators doing jack shit because of a dumb loophole.
“The last guy nearly ruined this place
he didn’t know what to do with it.
If you think this country’s bad off now,
just wait 'til I get through with it.”- Groucho Marx, Duck Soup, 1933
The filibuster as it exists now should not exist.
If a Senator wants to talk for 36 hours, let them. But giving every single senator veto power over any legislation is absurd.
Yeah it is really dumb and needs serious reform. I’m 100% for that or outright removal if they aren’t going to reform it. Anything would be better than this. As it is now we just have a bunch of cowards hiding behind it like their hands are tied from actually doing anything for their constituents.
As it is now we just have a bunch of cowards hiding behind it like their hands are tied from actually doing anything for their constituents.
Well, they are representing the will of their constituents, the rich donors who fund the vast majority of their campaigns.
If you’re trying to buy a veto, you’re probably going to find a better deal when you can negotiate with 100 Senators to find the lowest price instead of dealing with a single President who knows that nobody is going to undercut him.
Regardless of who is in charge — get rid of this slave-era tool.
I am more widely in favor after he is dead or out of office than I would be of it being abolished now, though.
How many times has he demanded this now?
He’s got dementia. Give the guy a break.
:-)
No I will not.
Fair point.
Non-USian here, so my heart goes out to you. Hopefully, the guy dies from a coronary soon.
Now, get out and vote for fuck sake.
I think he really does.
