Trump Calls for Immediate Filibuster Elimination as Senate Budget Deadlock Deepens
By Jim Thomas | Wednesday, 24 December 2025 07:17 PM EST
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the Senate filibuster should not apply to must-pass legislation. He argued that the procedural rule allows the minority party to block the majority party when not in power and prevent essential budget measures from advancing.
Speaking on Newsmax’s “Carl Higbie FRONTLINE,” Fine questioned the continued use of the Senate filibuster for must-pass bills. When asked about eliminating the filibuster amid Democrats’ opposition to changes to Affordable Care Act subsidies, he stated: “Well, I think it’s something worth considering, particularly for must-pass bills. The minority party should not have the power to keep the government closed for whatever reason they want. And so for things like a budget that has to be passed to keep the government open, there’s no reason the filibuster should exist.”
Under Senate rules, most legislation requires a 60-vote threshold to end debate, enabling a unified minority to block bills even when a simple majority supports them. Both parties have utilized the procedure to stall or obstruct legislation depending on which side holds power.
Democrats heavily relied on the filibuster during President Donald Trump’s first term to block GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017, as several repeal bills failed after Democrats and a small number of Republicans withheld support. Reuters reported that these efforts kept the 60-vote threshold unattainable.
In 2021, Republicans used the filibuster to block the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, preventing Democrats from reaching the votes needed to advance legislation.
Trump recently criticized the filibuster using metaphorical language, urging Republicans to eliminate the rule if necessary to advance legislation. Speaking during ongoing funding and budget debates, he asserted that Republicans should be willing to eliminate the filibuster rather than allow the minority party to block core government functions. “Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Senate leaders in both parties have historically defended the filibuster as a guardrail for minority rights, but pressure continues to build over whether it should apply to budget and government funding measures.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
