November 3, 2025
Republican senators refuse Trump's demand to eliminate filibuster, saying it won't happen in their lifetime
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that Republicans do not have the votes to eliminate the filibuster after President Trump urged the change to reopen the government.
Senator John Kennedy told CNN he pushed back directly on the president and said he doubts Republicans will scrap the filibuster or blue-slip traditions during their current majority in his and the reporter’s lifetime.
Senate Majority Leader 
John Thune told reporters that 'the votes aren't there' to end the filibuster and said he had spoken with President Trump, but he did not state when that conversation occurred.
Senator 
John Kennedy told CNN he spoke with President Trump, said a senator's job is to 'kill bad ideas,' and that the president 'wasn't unhappy' with the exchange. Kennedy added he doubts Republicans will change the filibuster or blue-slip traditions 'during your or my natural lifetime.'.
The filibuster normally requires 60 votes to advance most legislation, which forces the majority to seek minority support to pass bills. Republican senators hold the chamber’s majority and must weigh short-term gains against preserving minority protections for when they are out of power.
President Trump publicly and privately urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to pass funding bills without Democratic votes. Many Senate Republicans resisted that request, saying the votes to change Senate practice do not exist within the GOP conference.
