President Trump asks the Senate to eliminate the filibuster to allow the Republican majority to reopen the federal government, in the context of a shutdown crisis.

President Trump asked the Senate on Thursday evening to abandon the filibuster, a tactic that allows for the delay of legislative votes, to enable the Republican majority to reopen the federal government. The filibuster requires 60 votes to be overcome, thus giving Democrats control over the Republican majority of 53 seats. Trump stated that he reflected a lot on this decision during his flight from Asia. While some voices in the Senate and House Speaker Mike Johnson believe that the shutdown should end, it is unclear whether lawmakers will heed Trump's call or seek negotiating solutions with the Democrats.

The impact of the shutdown is felt across the country, with people stocking up on food and fuel, and flight delays affecting holiday travel. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska highlighted the stress felt by citizens, as food supplies become increasingly limited. Despite informal discussions among bipartisan senators, the shutdown is expected to continue until the Saturday deadline, when food insecurity could become an acute problem for millions of Americans.