By Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday again called for Republican senators to terminate the filibuster rule in a bid to end what is now the longest government shutdown in history, a move that would shatter long-standing Senate norms and make it easier for the majority to jam through legislation.

“We have to get the country open. And the way we’re going to do it this afternoon is to terminate the filibuster,” Trump told the senators, who were gathered at the White House for a breakfast.

“It’s possible you’re not going to do that, and I’m going to go by your wishes. You’re very smart people, you’re good friends, but I think it’s a tremendous mistake,” Trump said. “It would be a tragic mistake. Actually, it’s time.”

The filibuster i

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