Trump calls on Senate Republicans to abolish filibuster to break government shutdown deadlock

As the government shutdown continues for nearly a month, US President Donald Trump has called on Senate Republicans to vote to repeal the Senate's filibuster rules. "With Democrats completely'mad ', the choice is clear - activate the'nuclear option', abolish the filibuster, and make America great again," Trump tweeted late Thursday night on social media. Because of the Senate's "filibuster system", most legislation needs 60 votes to pass. While a majority of lawmakers can amend the rules, both parties have largely refused to do so in order to preserve the ability to influence legislation when they are not in the majority. In the recent funding standoff, Democrats have refused to support a Republican-proposed temporary funding bill unless Republicans agree to extend healthcare subsidies. This is not the first time Mr. Trump has called for the abolition of the "system of lengthy debates"; he has made such claims repeatedly in his first term as his legislative efforts have stalled in the Senate. Thune, the Republican leader in the US Senate, said earlier this month that his party would not use the so-called "nuclear option" to push funding bills. Asked if the White House was pushing for such a move, Thune reiterated his opposition, saying "we have not discussed this topic". (Kim 10)