Trump calls for US Senate to scrap filibuster rule
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Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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WASHINGTON - Republican US President Donald Trump called on Oct 30 for the removal of the Senate’s filibuster rule, to bypass a Democratic roadblock during a government shutdown now in its 30th day.
The filibuster is the Senate rule for agreement by 60 of its 100 members to pass most legislation.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives.
“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,” Mr Trump wrote on social media.
There was no end in sight on Oct 30 to the partial shutdown, as Senate Republicans urged Democrats to support a stopgap funding measure until Nov 21 while the latter demanded negotiations to extend expiring federal tax credits.
Such credits help Americans buy private health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
The shutdown began on Oct 1
The shutdown could cost the US economy between US$7 billion (S$9.1 billion) and US$14 billion, shaving up to 2 per cent from gross domestic product in the fourth quarter due to the lapse in government spending, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said on Oct 29.
“Well, now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, country-destroying ‘SHUT DOWN’,” Mr Trump posted on Oct 30.
About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed since government funding ended.
The Trump administration has taken steps to pay troops, federal law enforcement and immigration officers, but other federal employees are working without pay. REUTERS
