Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for the elimination of the filibuster on Sunday, urging Senate Republicans to “immediately” terminate it if the government shuts down again in late January, when the recently-passed spending bill is set to expire.
Bessent called the 60-vote threshold mechanism a “procedural fossil” that has held the country “hostage,” most recently in the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
“The American people are just now emerging from the longest and most devastating government shutdown in U.S. history. And while the blame lies squarely with Senate Democrats, we cannot ignore the weapon they used to hold the country hostage: the legislative filibuster,” he wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “In January, when spending considerations again come due, if Democrats once again choose to shut down the government, then Republicans should immediately end the filibuster.”
The call echoes those of President Donald Trump, who repeatedly pressured Republicans to nuke the filibuster during the shutdown.
At the time, Trump frequently claimed Democrats would seek to scrap the practice anyway if they regain power in the upper chamber.
Bessent repeated that claim in his op-ed, casting Republicans’ belief that Democrats would uphold the practice as “wishful thinking.”
“January will test whether Republicans have the courage to follow through. If Democrats refuse to negotiate in good faith and close the government on Jan. 30, then Republicans must instantly abolish the filibuster,” he concluded.
WHERE EVERY SENATE REPUBLICAN STANDS ON TRUMP’S CALL TO END THE FILIBUSTER
Despite Bessent joining with Trump on eliminating the filibuster, the move consistently lacked support from Republican leadership in both the House and Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) both defended the practice from Trump’s attacks, with Thune making clear during the shutdown the change lacked the votes.