Republicans promise to protect the Senate filibuster, even if it hinders Trump's agenda
The new Senate Republican majority is promising to leave the filibuster alone — even if it stands in the way of the Trump agenda they hope to advance.
WASHINGTON — The new Senate Republican majority promises to leave the filibuster in place, retaining the 60-vote threshold to pass most legislation — even if it stands in the way of the Trump agenda it hopes to advance.
Shortly after he was elected as the next majority leader, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., responded clearly and unequivocally when he was asked Wednesday whether the filibuster would remain unchanged on his watch.
“Yes,” he told reporters.
In interviews this week, several Republican senators representing various ideological factions said they support preserving the filibuster rule as they prepare to take full control of Washington with President-elect Donald Trump back in the White House, a Senate majority of 52 or 53 seats and a narrow House majority.
“I think there’s unanimity that the filibuster is important. So I don’t think that’s controversial,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who ran unsuccessfully for majority leader, said Tuesday.
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