As the government shutdown approaches a record duration, President Donald Trump has urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to resolve the deadlock in Congress. In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated, "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!"

With a Republican majority of 53-47 in the Senate, abolishing the filibuster would enable the party to pass a funding bill without needing Democratic support. This call comes at a critical moment, as millions of Americans are at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to funding shortages, and those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act are facing increased insurance premiums as open enrollment begins.

The filibuster is a longstanding Senate rule that allows any senator to block or delay legislation by extending debate. To end a filibuster, 60 votes are required, which is three-fifths of the Senate. Once debate is concluded, only a simple majority is needed for a bill to pass. The practice of unlimited debate dates back to the 19th century, and in 1917, the Senate adopted Rule 22, which established the cloture vote to break filibusters. While the filibuster empowers the minority party, it has been a source of frustration for the majority for decades.

During his first term, Trump attempted to eliminate the filibuster but faced resistance from within his party. Former President Joe Biden has expressed support for modifying the filibuster to protect abortion rights and advance voting rights legislation.

The term "nuclear option" refers to instances when the Senate has previously changed filibuster rules. For example, during the Obama administration, the threshold for confirming judicial and executive nominees was lowered to a simple majority. Similarly, Senate Republicans made changes for Supreme Court nominees during Trump’s first term. However, both parties have expressed concerns about completely abolishing the filibuster, fearing it could backfire when they are in the minority. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously stated that eliminating the filibuster should be avoided "at all costs." Following Trump’s recent comments, a spokesperson for Thune reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the legislative filibuster.

In a related development, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, supported Trump’s call to end the filibuster during an interview. He emphasized the urgency of resolving the shutdown, stating, "Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!" Hassett warned that Democrats might prolong the shutdown indefinitely and highlighted the importance of preventing SNAP benefits from expiring on November 1.

Hassett criticized what he described as a "liberal judge ruling" that allowed the use of emergency funds to sustain SNAP, arguing that this could jeopardize future funding for emergencies. Meanwhile, Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, condemned Trump for using hunger as a political tool, calling it a display of cruelty from Republican leadership.

Hassett countered by asserting that Democrats need to fulfill their "constitutional duty" to reopen the government, claiming, "The Democrats don’t really have a plan."

As the situation develops, the fate of the filibuster and the government shutdown remains uncertain, with significant implications for millions of Americans relying on federal assistance.