Rick Scott evolves on filibuster

It might be time to end the legislative filibuster in the Senate to open up the government, according to Sen. Rick Scott, as Democrats continue to hold the line in support of Affordable Care Act tax incentives and other issues.

The 60-vote threshold was imposed in 1975, replacing a former two-thirds threshold. Does it need to go lower?

“I think we have to have, you know, all options on the table. If the Democrats are going to continue to completely shut down the government, make sure people can’t get food stamps, can’t get paid. Nominees cannot get approved. I mean, it seems like at some point, you know, we’re not going to have a choice,” Scott said on Newsmax Thursday, advocating for a simple majority to be able to pass the stalled-out “clean” continuing resolution passed by the House.

Others, including frequent ally Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, likewise suggest it’s time to make a momentous change to stop the federal government shutdown.

“Democrats are going to blow it up, so we need to act first. If Democrats eliminate the filibuster, it’ll be all about acquiring and maintaining power — adding Senators, packing the Supreme Court, and reshaping our institutions. If Republicans act now, we can secure our border, protect our elections, repair the damage done by Obamacare, and ensure a prosperous economy.”

President Donald Trump would like to see the filibuster scrapped.

“Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t terminate the filibuster,” Trump said this week.

However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he knows “where the math is on this issue in the Senate and it’s not happening.”

Interestingly, Scott supported the filibuster in 2022, saying it “protects the minority party’s rights” and kept the Senate from being “majoritarian like the House.”

He accused the Democratic majority at the time of trying “to push one partisan bill after another without even attempting to get Republican input or support.” He also said that Democrats had previously opposed filibusters when they were in the minority, as Republicans were then.

“So why did they change their mind? Why are they willing to be so blatantly hypocritical? And so obviously flip-flop,” Scott said in a Senate floor speech back then.