Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

A top US official has joined calls by President Trump to eliminate the Senate filibuster.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, the Senate filibuster is a procedural rule that allows a minority of US senators to delay or block a vote on legislation by extending debate indefinitely unless 60 of the 100 senators vote to end it, a process called “cloture.” This means that even if a bill has majority support, it can be stalledunless it garners a supermajority of 60 votes. Both Republicans and Democrats have historically kept the filibuster because it protects minority party rights, encourages compromise, and prevents sudden swings in law with each change in majority control. While frustrating to majorities, it has long been seen as a check against rushed, partisan lawmaking.

What’s going on now: In an op-ed for The Washington Post and a Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, arguing it was the key tool Democrats used to “hold the country hostage” during the recent 43-day government shutdown. “The American people are just now emerging from the longest and most devastating government shutdown in US history. And while the blame lies squarely with Senate Democrats, we cannot ignore the weapon they used to hold the country hostage: the legislative filibuster,” Bessent wrote. He warned that if Democrats force another shutdown when spending bills come due in January,“Republicans should immediately end the filibuster.”

Echoing Trump’s longtime frustrations with Senate procedure, Bessent added, “It’s time for Republicans to acknowledge that the filibuster no longer serves the country — and to be prepared to end it.”

This comes as President Trump has ramped up calls to eliminate the filibuster, arguing that “If we do it, we will never lose the midterms, and we will never lose a general election.” Trump believes that removing the 60 vote barrier would allow Republicans to deliver on voter ID laws and other conservative priorities.

Both Trump and Bessent are also arguing that if Republicans don’t act now, Democrats will do it themselves if they regain power and will use it to pass sweeping liberal policies.