Trump calls on Senate to end filibuster after healthcare defeat

President Trump on Tuesday called on the Senate to end the legislative filibuster after the collapse of the Republican healthcare plan.

“The Senate must go to a 51 vote majority instead of current 60 votes. Even parts of full Repeal need 60. 8 Dems control Senate. Crazy!” Trump tweeted. 

Getting rid of the filibuster, however, would not have guaranteed the success of the GOP plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare. The Senate considered the measure under budget reconciliation rules, which only required a 51-vote majority to pass. 

{mosads}Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) blindsided the White House Monday night by announcing their opposition to the bill, joining two of their GOP colleagues. That left Republicans short of the votes to move forward with the legislation.

Trump vented his frustration at the Senate over the failure of the effort to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law, which has been a core GOP campaign pledge for years. 

“We were let down by all of the Democrats and a few Republicans,” Trump wrote in a string of tweets Monday morning. “Most Republicans were loyal, terrific & worked really hard. We will return!

“With only a very small majority, the Republicans in the House & Senate need more victories next year since Dems totally obstruct, no votes!”

Trump has repeatedly called on the Senate to scrap the filibuster, saying it encouraged obstructionism. 

“The U.S. Senate should switch to 51 votes, immediately, and get Healthcare and TAX CUTS approved, fast and easy. Dems would do it, no doubt!” he tweeted in May.

Senate Republicans have rejected the idea.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) slammed the door on ending the filibuster in May, saying it “will not happen.”

“There is an overwhelming majority on a bipartisan basis not interested in changing the way the Senate operates on the legislative calendar,” he said.