Senate Republicans are committed to keeping the filibuster, even if former President Donald Trump is reelected and they win back the majority, Punchbowl News reported.
Trump was an advocate for ditching the filibuster, which requires 60 votes to advance legislation, saying it stymied his agenda when Republicans had control of Congress and the White House, according to Punchbowl News.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Punchbowl News that Trump begged him to gut the filibuster at least 30 times. Lankford told Punchbowl News that he supports maintaining the filibuster because it requires legislators to discuss their differences.
"Some people don't like that," Lankford said. "[The filibuster is] something uniquely American to have a place in government where both sides have to be heard."
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he would resign from the Senate if the filibuster was removed.
"That is how strongly I feel about it," Tillis told Punchbowl News. "We gotta have the courage to stand against [this]."
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who is running to replace Mitch McConnell as leader, pledged that the GOP won't remove the filibuster, Punchbowl News said.
"As much as we want to work with Trump … we're going to have to do it the old-fashioned way and cobble together the types of majorities that enable us to get to the 60-vote threshold," Thune told Punchbowl News.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who are also running for Republican leader, have supported maintaining the filibuster, according to Punchbowl News.
Retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who blocked Democrats attempts to weaken the filibuster, told Punchbowl News he is confident Republicans will maintain the filibuster.
"They did that before — they held strong. So, I have more faith that they would," Manchin said to Punchbowl News.
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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