TL/DR –
President Donald Trump’s push to end the 60-vote filibuster rule in the Senate, in order to reopen the government without Democratic votes, is facing resistance from Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom supports Democrats’ stance on opposing funding bills without a health care subsidies deal amidst the government shutdown. The role of the filibuster, traditionally seen as a safeguard, and its removal is being debated among Republicans and Democrats.
Discover the latest analysis from the NBC News Politics team in From the Politics Desk online newsletter.
Today, we focus on Senate Republicans’ dismissal of President Donald Trump’s filibuster-end call, Kristen Welker’s interview with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and an answer to a reader question on impeachment.
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— Adam Wollner
Trump’s filibuster-abolishing move faces GOP resistance
By Sahil Kapur, Ryan Nobles and Brennan Leach
President Donald Trump’s effort to nix the Senate 60-vote filibuster rule to reopen the government is met with resistance from his party.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had pledged to keep the legislative filibuster constant after the 2024 election.
“Leader Thune’s position on the filibuster is unchanged,” Thune spokesperson Ryan Wrasse said.
The Senate has eliminated the 60-vote threshold to confirm executive branch personnel and federal judges, requiring a simple Senate majority.
The legislative filibuster has evolved, but since 1975 it has required 60 votes to achieve Senate “cloture” and ensure passage of most bills over the objections of the minority. GOP senators have expanded exceptions this year, but they’ve largely been opposed to fully removing the 60-vote threshold.
Newsom backs Dem’s health care stance during shutdown
California Gov. Gavin Newsom supports Democrats’ stance on health care amid the government shutdown, opposing funding bills without an expiring health care subsidies deal.
I interviewed Newsom at the California Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento yesterday, with the shutdown nearing a record stalemate.
“Donald Trump has betrayed them… We’re fighting for the people,” Newsom said. “Absolutely, it’s the right issue because it breaks through… So it’s absolutely the right call.”
As the shutdown continues, crucial programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are at risk without federal funding. The U.S. Agriculture Department announced that assistance would not be distributed on Nov. 1, only for a federal judge to order the USDA to distribute owed money to SNAP recipients “as soon as possible.”
“He was never serious about a deal… He doesn’t want this shutdown to end. And that’s what we’re up against,” Newsom said, referring to Trump.
Watch “Meet the Press” this Sunday for my full interview with Newsom and the latest NBC News poll results ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.
More on the shutdown:
- Ground delays hit some U.S. airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, per Marlene Lenthang.
- The Trump administration plans to pay military members today by using a mix of legislative and Defense Department funds, Monica Alba and Courtney Kube report.
- Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins Saturday, with this year expected to see the largest increase in costs since the law’s inception, Berkeley Lovelace Jr. notes.
✉️ Mailbag: Will Democrats try to impeach Trump again?
This week’s reader question:
“Why aren’t the Democrats pushing to impeach Trump?”
The question of a Trump impeachment is something Democrats have been wrestling with throughout his second term.
🗞️ Today’s top stories
- ➡️ Attack foiled: The FBI arrested several suspects allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in Michigan over Halloween. Read more →
- 👀 ICE watch: A DHS spokeswoman offered a two-word reply to a report that immigration agents were seen wearing Halloween masks in LA: “Happy Halloween!”
- 🗽 Sprint to November: Potential NYC mayoral contest winner Zohran Mamdani casts himself as the city’s bulwark against Trump. Read more →
- 💲 Ballroom blitz: A nonprofit organization raising money for the National Mall handles millions of dollars for Trump’s gilded White House ballroom. Read more →
Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Owen Auston-Babcock. You can provide feedback or share this newsletter here.
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