Senate Majority Leader John Thune Rejects Trump's Demand to Nuke Filibuster

Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly rejected efforts to abolish or “nuke” the Senate filibuster as a way to force passage of Republican voting legislation.

“Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso arrive for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U”

Alternet

He called a proposed “talking filibuster” to physically hold the floor “much more complicated and risky” than its backers claim.

Alternet

Thune said formally abolishing the 60-vote legislative filibuster “isn’t an option because Republicans lack the votes.”

At the same time, coverage shows Trump pressing Republicans to make the SAVE America Act a top priority and to expand it, creating pressure within GOP ranks.

Only two source articles were provided for this summary, so citations come from those two sources.

Thune acknowledged internal GOP pressure — from House Republicans and what he called a "paid influencer ecosystem" — to bypass the filibuster and force through the SAVE America Act.

Trump and allies have urged the SAVE America Act be expanded to include provisions curbing mail voting and measures targeting transgender issues.

Alternet

Alternet's reporting underscores that the SAVE America Act passed the House but has stalled in the Senate, highlighting why some Republicans are pushing procedural gambits.

The two sources together show a party juggling grassroots, media, and White House pressure while confronting Senate arithmetic.

Some Senate Republicans are skeptical that the talking-filibuster tactic would work without rule changes, and outlets report concerns it could be unworkable or could permanently weaken the filibuster if attempted.

“Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso arrive for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U”

Alternet

Thune warned that scrapping the filibuster would have "more complicated consequences" than Trump suggests and said he can’t guarantee success by "nuking" the filibuster, signalling GOP leadership’s reluctance to risk a major Senate rule change with limited votes to spare.

Senate Republicans are aiming for a March 18 confirmation hearing for Rep. Markwayne Mullin to be secretary of Homeland Security and want a swift floor vote.

Sen. John Fetterman has already said he will support Mullin.

Alternet

Meanwhile, Trump suggested holding up other approvals until the SAVE America Act clears the Senate.

That suggestion illustrates how leadership is weighing trade-offs across the agenda amid the filibuster impasse.