Trump: 'Terminate the Filibuster'

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After a slew of Democrat victories on election night Tuesday, President Donald Trump called for getting rid of the Senate filibuster as a way for Republicans to reopen the government and pursue their agenda.

“It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster,” Trump told Senate Republicans Wednesday morning.

The president made his remarks during a White House breakfast.

“It’s the only way you can do it," Trump insisted. "And if you don’t terminate the filibuster, you’ll be in bad shape. We won’t pass any legislation.”

Filibusters allow members to block or stymie legislation. It takes 60 votes to defeat a filibuster under current Senate rules.

The president wants to end the filibuster so that Republicans can more easily pass legislation.

Some Republicans worry this might empower Democrats in the future. Republican Majority Leader Sen. John Thune has said that the filibuster is what “makes the Senate the Senate."

President Trump continued to explain his reasoning on Wednesday.

“We have to get the country open," Trump insisted. "And the way we’re going to do it this afternoon is to terminate the filibuster."

Trump appeared to acknowledge the concerns of his fellow Republicans about ditching the filibuster.

"It’s possible you’re not going to do that, and I’m going to go by your wishes," Trump said. "You’re very smart people; we’re good friends."

But the president then said, "But I think it’s a tremendous mistake, really. It would be a tragic mistake, actually."

"It’s time. It’s time," he finished.