Trump calls for ‘nuclear option’ to ram border wall funding through the Senate – Washington Examiner

President Trump on Friday called on the Senate to change the rules so Republicans can pass a bill funding his border wall over the objections of Senate Democrats.

“Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done!” Trump said on Twitter. “Our Country is counting on you!”

Trump’s tweet was a call for the Senate to change the rules so that only a simple majority is needed to advance legislation to a final vote, instead of the usual 60-vote threshold that requires some level of bipartisanship. When Republicans call up a spending bill Friday that gives Trump $5.7 billion for his border wall, Democrats will object, and the bill will stall.

Ending the so-called legislative filibuster, also known as the “nuclear option,” would let Republicans pass any bill they want as long as the GOP is together on the bill.

Just before Trump’s tweet, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also said the Senate should change the rules to pass the bill.

“They should,” Sanders said on Fox News when asked if the Senate filibuster should be eliminated. “This is such an important issue, and it’s something that all of America wants to see happen.”

“We hope that they’ll step up and do their jobs today before they go home and take vacation for Christmas,” she added. “This is something that’s so important and we hope that they’ll do whatever is necessary to get the job done.”

Senate Democrats in 2013 invoked a limited version of the nuclear option. Under that change, only a simple majority was needed to advance former President Barack Obama’s nominees, instead of the usual 60-vote threshold that required bipartisanship.

The change imposed by Democrats didn’t apply to Supreme Court nominees. But Senate Republicans included Supreme Court picks when they took over the Senate, which made it easy to get two of Trump’s top court picks to win confirmation.

The last hurdle is whether to end the 60-vote threshold for legislation. But Republicans have been hesitant to make that change, partly over fears that it would let Democrats pass any bill they want when they have a Senate majority.

Late Thursday, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., called for an end to the filibuster so Republicans can approve Trump’s wall funding. Trump thanked Daines for recommending the rule change.

“Thank you @SteveDaines for being willing to go with the so-called nuclear option in order to win on DESPERATELY NEEDED Border Security!” Trump tweeted. “Have my total support.”