Trump calls for Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster and end the shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised after last year's election that the legislative filibuster, which requires 60 votes for most bills to advance, would not be altered on his watch.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called on Thursday for the removal of the Senate’s filibuster rule, to bypass a Democratic roadblock during a government shutdown now in its 30th day.

The filibuster is the Senate rule for agreement by 60 of its 100 members to pass most legislation. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives.

“It is now time for the Republicans to play their “TRUMP CARD,” and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW,” Trump wrote on social media.

GOP leaders ‘not willing to promise anything’ on health care amid shutdown negotiations06:48There was no end in sight on Thursday to the partial shutdown, as Senate Republicans urged Democrats to support a stopgap funding measure through November 21 while the latter demanded negotiations to extend expiring federal tax credits.

Such credits help Americans buy private health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act.