Senate Majority Leader Thune Says GOP Lacks Votes to End Filibuster Despite Trump's Shutdown Pressure

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Nov. 3, 2025 that Republicans lacked the 51 votes needed to eliminate the filibuster, directly rebuffing Trump who demanded the Senate nix the 60-vote threshold to pass a government funding bill and end the 35-day shutdown. Only 10–12 of 53 GOP senators supported the change. Multiple Republican senators, including Thom Tillis, said their opposition was firm regardless of shutdown pressure.