It is widely reported President Trump has urged the Republican-majority Senate to dump its rule requiring 60 votes to break a filibuster in order to reopen the government. Republican senators resist this move.
Perhaps it is worth noting why this difference of opinion exists among Republicans who normally agree. The answer rests in the fact that the Senate and this president have differing time horizons.
President Trump has until January of 2029 - just over 3 years - to accomplish whatever is on his agenda. Constitutionally he is term limited by that cutoff date, which makes him in a hurry to get things done.
Senators have a six year term and, often win two or more of those. As such they realize in our de facto two party system it is quite likely each will spend some part of their Senate tenure in the minority. The filibuster rule empowers the minority, or more accurately it limits the power of a narrow majority to make major changes in our national governance.
Imagine John Thune & Co. thinking about a future Democrat majority nationalizing health care or emptying the prisons or worse. Being able to prevent such moves is important to Republicans.
Trump is thinking “I’ve only got 3 years” while GOP senators are thinking “It’s likely I’m here for the rest of my political life.” Those are very different time horizons, hence different priorities. To POTUS time’s a-wasting, senators see the shutdown as a speed bump in a much longer journey.
