Thune Stands by Filibuster as Trump Urges “Nuclear Option” to End Government Shutdown

By Mark Swanson | Friday, 31 October 2025 04:44 PM EDT
The office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated Friday that his support for the filibuster remains “unchanged” despite President Donald Trump’s call to eliminate it, according to The Hill. Trump has urged Thune to use the “nuclear option”—removing the Senate filibuster rule to lower the chamber’s 60-vote threshold—to reopen the government.
“Leader Thune’s position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged,” a spokesman for Thune told NewsNation. Thune previously called the move a “bad idea” and aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who also opposed using the tactic to end the shutdown.
“If the shoe was on the other foot, I don’t think our team would like it,” Johnson said Friday. The filibuster requires 60 of the Senate’s 100 members to pass most legislation. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber.
“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 posted Thursday on Truth Social. His call came after Senate Democrats voted for the 13th time to keep the government closed.
Thune pledged to preserve the filibuster during his bid to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as Republican leader and reiterated the stance in his maiden speech as leader. “One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate. That means preserving the legislative filibuster,” he said on Jan. 2.
While Thune’s leadership team and most GOP senators oppose nuking the filibuster, some Republicans have floated the idea. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., called it a “viable option” to end the impasse. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said Democrats are “gonna force” Republicans to eliminate the rule.
“I’m not willing to see children in my state go hungry … over some Senate procedure,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said last week.