Now that Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, Senate Republicans face the question of whether to eliminate the filibuster option for the Democrats, in case they use it to block likely legislation from the GOP, according to The New York Times.
Republicans are not discussing that possibility, and instead are saying that the two parties will work together and avoid methods such as filibuster-breaking cloture votes — which they employed "very effectively" against President Barack Obama, according to Times writer Carl Hulse.
"I think what the American people are looking for is results. And to get results in the Senate, as all of you know, it requires some Democratic participation and cooperation," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters.
The Times reports any attempt to repeal Obamacare will be opposed by Democrats, and the necessary 60 votes are likely unattainable for Republicans, even if some Democrats in Republican states that are up for reelection in 2018 cross the aisle to join the repeal attempt.
The Senate GOP could use reconciliation, but that would take time, a congressional budget resolution, and other steps. Trump and his supporters would be likely to apply pressure to end the filibuster more quickly, according to the Times.
The Supreme Court vacancy, a top issue for Republicans, could also start up a conflict over the filibuster. Democrats might retaliate against Republicans for the way they treated Obama nominee Merrick Garland.
If Democrats filibuster a Trump nominee, Republicans could eliminate the filibuster against Supreme Court nominees — they were exempt from a 2013 change Democrats made that allowed a simple majority vote to break filibusters against judicial candidates.
Some veteran Republican senators are opposed to ending the filibuster, so McConnell would have difficulty gaining the votes to do so, according to the Times.
McConnell has noted the importance of respecting the minority party in the Senate, because they could always regain the majority. "I don't think we should act as if we're going to be in the majority forever," he said in the Times report.
MSNBC's Steve Benen says Republicans refused to work with Democrats on any issue and used the filibuster to block popular legislation. If the filibuster is removed, "there will be practically no mechanism in place to stand in the way of Republicans getting everything they want over the next two years, at a minimum."
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