By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mcconnell-opposes-trump-on-ending-filibusters Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter McConnell opposes Trump on ending filibusters Politics Jan 21, 2018 3:27 PM EDT WASHINGTON — Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s calls to end Senate filibusters. When filibusters of legislation are underway, it takes 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to halt them. Republicans now control the chamber 51-49. But strong Democratic opposition and some defecting GOP senators have kept Republicans from getting the votes needed to end the shutdown — now in its second day. McConnell has long defended the filibuster. He says Republicans will welcome it whenever they are returned to the Senate minority. As the Senate began a rare Sunday session, the Kentucky Republican said: “I support that right from an institutional point of view.” But he also said, “The question is, when do you use it.” READ NEXT: Who’s to blame for the government shutdown? A look at the political fallout (so far) Trump has made repeated calls this year to end that rule, and did it again Sunday in a tweet. By — Associated Press Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s calls to end Senate filibusters. When filibusters of legislation are underway, it takes 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to halt them. Republicans now control the chamber 51-49. But strong Democratic opposition and some defecting GOP senators have kept Republicans from getting the votes needed to end the shutdown — now in its second day. McConnell has long defended the filibuster. He says Republicans will welcome it whenever they are returned to the Senate minority. As the Senate began a rare Sunday session, the Kentucky Republican said: “I support that right from an institutional point of view.” But he also said, “The question is, when do you use it.” READ NEXT: Who’s to blame for the government shutdown? A look at the political fallout (so far) Trump has made repeated calls this year to end that rule, and did it again Sunday in a tweet.