"THE CHOICE IS CLEAR INITIATE THE NUCLEAR OPTION,' GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER, Trump said in a late-night social media post Thursday. Trump's sudden decision to assert himself in the now 31-day-long shutdown with his highly charged demand to end the filibuster is certain to set the Senate on edge. It could spur senators towards their own compromise or send the chamber spiralling towards a new sense of crisis. Or, it might be ignored."
"Senate Majority Leader John Thune has repeatedly said he is not considering changing the rules to end the shutdown, arguing that it is vital to the institution of the Senate and has allowed Republicans to halt Democratic policies when they are in the minority. The leader's position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged, Thune spokesman Ryan Wrasse said Friday. A spokeswoman for Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, the number-two Republican, said his position opposing a filibuster change also remains unchanged."
The filibuster requires 60 votes in the Senate to overcome objections, allowing the minority to block legislation. The chamber is split 53-47, giving Democrats enough votes to prevent reopening while seeking healthcare subsidy extensions. President Donald Trump urged ending the filibuster to force government reopening, calling for the 'nuclear option.' Republican leaders, including John Thune and John Barrasso, rejected changing the rule, citing its institutional importance and utility for halting opposing policies when in the minority. The dispute could push senators toward compromise, deepen the shutdown crisis, or be ignored by the Senate.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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