Trump Urges GOP Lawmakers to Eliminate Senate Filibuster to End Shutdown

President Donald Trump on Oct. 30 called on Republican lawmakers to eliminate the filibuster to bring an end to the government shutdown that has stalled federal funding for several agencies for more than 30 days. The filibuster is a procedural tactic used to block legislation from advancing. It can “prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question,” according to the U.S Senate. Filibusters on most legislation can be ended only if at least 60 senators, or three-fifths of all sworn-in members, vote to invoke cloture. Republicans currently hold a 53–47 majority in the Senate and a 219–213 majority in the House of Representatives....