GOP leaders reject Trump's filibuster demand

President is calling on allies to get rid of rule in Senate and reopen federal government.

- BY LISA MASCARO AND MARY CLARE JALONICK

AGRICULTURE Secretary Brooke Rollins with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

(Tom Williams CQ-Roll Call)

Back from a week abroad, President Trump threw himself into the shutdown debate, calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster and reopen the government, an idea swiftly rejected Friday by Republican leaders who have long opposed such a move.

Trump pushed his Republican Party to get rid of the Senate rule that requires 60 votes to overcome objections and gives the minority Democrats a check on GOP power.

In the chamber that's currently split, 53-47, Democrats have had enough votes to keep the government closed while they demand an extension of healthcare subsidies. Neither party has seriously wanted to nuke the rule.

"THE CHOICE IS CLEAR - INITIATE THE 'NUCLEAR OPTION,' GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER," Trump said in a latenight social media post Thursday.

Trump's sudden decision to insert himself into the shutdown in its 31st day on Friday - bringing the highly charged demand to end the filibuster - is certain to set the Senate on edge. It could spur senators toward their own compromise or send the chamber spiraling toward a new sense of crisis. Or, it might be ignored.

Republican leaders responded quickly, and unequivocally, setting themselves at odds with Trump, the president few have dared to counter.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (RS.D.) has repeatedly said he is not considering changing the rules to end the shutdown, arguing that it is vital to the institution of the Senate and has allowed them to halt Democratic policies when they are in the minority.

The leader's "position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged," Thune spokesman Ryan Wrasse said Friday.