Even after a second push by former president Donald Trump, Senate Republicans have not budge on their filibuster.
John Thune, the Senate Minority leader who returned from the White House Wednesday made it clear Trump’s efforts to abolish the 60-vote requirement won’t be successful.
Thune stated, “I have no doubt that he can influence some members.” But I understand the Senate’s math on the issue, and it just isn’t happening.
Thune is one of the Senate’s most ardent filibuster supporters. He said that there are simply not enough Republican votes in the chamber to make any changes. This was a sentiment shared by many of his colleagues.
Mike Rounds, a South Dakota senator who joined Trump at the White House for breakfast after an election night that was a disaster for the GOP admitted to the former president having “made a good point,” but wasn’t persuaded.
Rounds stated, “I believe there are a number of us who really feel that the Senate is designed to provide a stable, long-term solution to any problems. We will listen to the President’s words.”
John Kennedy, senator from Louisiana, said that he is standing firm.
Kennedy stated that “my position hasn’t changed.” As I have said previously, the job of a Senator isn’t just about advancing good ideas. A senator’s role is to eliminate bad ideas. When you are in the minority – we may not be now but could one day – it is important to have filibusters.”
Thom Tillis, Senator from North Carolina, was even blunter: “There is nothing I could do to change my mind about the filibuster.” It’s been 11 years since I started. “I’m too old to make a change.”
Cracks continue to appear.
John Cornyn of Texas, a long-time defender and supporter of filibustering, has said that he is now “open” to its change.
The gridlock in government spending over the years was cited as one of his main reasons. Cornyn was prompted to change his mind by the fact that he had not been able for some time to make regular appropriations and a “willful minority” could shut down government whenever they wanted.
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said that the shutdown forced him to reconsider his position.
Hawley told his Democrat colleagues, “We better get on the table as soon as possible.” If you ask me which I would choose, eating or defending arcane rules of filibuster, I will pick people eating. We’re moving fast.
