WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming do not want their Republican colleagues to throw out the legislative filibuster, the tool Senate Democrats have used repeatedly to prolong the government shutdown and which the minority party might also employ to block major bills ahead.

President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans on Wednesday to use what is known as the nuclear option — getting rid of the filibuster to pass all bills on simple-majority votes, including a measure to end the shutdown.

But Barrasso — the second-ranking Senate Republican — and Lummis confirmed to Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that they remain opposed to the idea. They cited the specter of Democrats’ retaliation in the future. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota has

See Full Page