WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Should Republicans Kill the Senate Filibuster?
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Mar 19, 2026 Barton Swaim, writer and commentator for The Wall Street Journal opinion pages, joins to dissect GOP debates over ending the Senate's 60-vote rule. He breaks down practical problems with a talking filibuster and historical risks of scrapping it. Discussion also covers right-wing splits over the Iran war and the high-stakes Texas Senate primary that could sway control.
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Filibuster As A Minority Brake
- The filibuster gives the minority party strong leverage to block or extract concessions, acting as a brake on fleeting majorities.
- Paul Gigot argues eliminating it hands transient majorities permanent power, risking lasting policy swings like nationwide voting rules or entitlements.
Talking Filibuster Impractical Today
- Restoring the talking filibuster would force continuous floor presence and unlimited debate, creating practical burdens for the majority.
- Barton Swaim and Paul Gigot note it would require sleeping bags and CPAP machines for senators, so Republicans likely won't adopt it.
Rule Changes Produce Unintended Consequences
- Past elimination of the 60-vote rule for nominations enabled quick confirmations but produced unintended consequences at the Supreme Court.
- Paul Gigot warns that rule changes can backfire by enabling future majorities to reshape institutions permanently.