WASHINGTON—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has defended the value of the filibuster after President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to eliminate it in order to fund the government.
“The filibuster has traditionally been viewed as a very important safeguard. If the shoe was on the other foot, I don’t think our team would like it,” Johnson told reporters at a press conference with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Oct. 31, the 31st day of the government shutdown.
Trump encouraged GOP lawmakers to invoke the option and “get rid of the filibuster” on Truth Social on Oct. 30.
The proposal came almost a month into the lapse in funding driven by a partisan standoff over health care spending….