Fetterman Hints Dems May Ditch Filibuster If They Win Back Senate
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman appeared to suggest that his party could nuke the filibuster rule in the Senate should they win back control of the upper chamber in a future election cycle. During a Fox News appearance on Sunday, he reminded a panel that his party ran on ditching the 60-vote rule to advance legislation as recently as a few years ago.
“I’d like to remind everybody that it wasn’t just a couple years ago every single Democrat, including myself – I campaigned on this…to remove the filibuster,” Fetterman said in response to a question about whether his Democratic colleagues still sought to do so.
“That was actually wrong – I was wrong for that, I would say that,” he continued. “Now, all of us love the filibuster, Democrats love the filibuster” because the rule gives his party power to disrupt the GOP majority’s agenda.
“I think it’s dangerous – real dangerous – to make the Senate essentially the same thing as the House and work as majority rules,” he said before repeating that his party, just a few years back, sought to dismantle the rule when they had the majority under President Biden.
At that time, two Democrats – Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Krysten Sinema of Arizona, both of whom are no longer in the chamber – opposed the rule change and drew the ire of their party.
Some took Fetterman’s response as a warning that, should his party regain a majority in the near future, Democrats will move on dismantling the filibuster – which President Trump has been pushing Republicans to do so they can pass the SAVE Act, which would require a voter ID to cast ballots in federal elections while severely curtailing mail-in voting.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Republican colleagues last week that the party does not currently have enough votes to advance a House-approved voting reform measure in the Senate by forcing Democrats to conduct a “talking filibuster.”
Thune’s comments came as Senate Republicans discussed the strategy during a closed-door lunch meeting. The proposal would require Democrats to continuously hold the Senate floor and debate the legislation to block it, potentially extending debate for days or weeks.
The legislation, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, has been identified as a top priority by President Donald Trump, who raised the issue Monday during a policy meeting with House Republicans.
Speaking in Florida earlier that day, Trump said passage of the SAVE Act was important to Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress in the upcoming November elections. “It will guarantee the midterms. If you don’t get it, big trouble,” he said, per The Hill.
Democrats have argued that only a small number of cases involving immigrants in the country illegally voting in federal elections have been documented in recent years, and they falsely say available evidence does not support claims of widespread voter fraud.
At the same time, Trump has increased pressure on Senate Republican leaders to adopt the talking filibuster strategy to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. Trump has also withheld an endorsement in the closely watched Republican Senate primary in Texas between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.
Thune and other Republican leaders have encouraged Trump to back Cornyn, arguing that he may have a stronger chance of winning the general election. However, Trump has not yet announced his support for either candidate.
Asked about speculation that the White House may be delaying an endorsement because Trump disagrees with Senate Republicans over the talking filibuster approach, Thune acknowledged the possibility and said it was a concern.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s probably not a linkage that is in anybody’s best interest because voting on the SAVE America Act is something we can do but passage is not guaranteed,” Thune said, per The Hill. “You have to make political decisions independent of what the final disposition of that might be on the floor.”
My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
