Newly elected Texas Senator James Talarico is urging Democrats to eliminate the Senate filibuster now that they’ve secured control of the chamber, dismissing the longstanding procedural hurdle as a racist relic of the past. The incoming Democrat made the case directly to NBC News this week, framing the filibuster as an anti-democratic roadblock rather than a safeguard of bipartisanship.
“The Majority Has the Right to Govern”
“Yes. I believe that the majority has the right to govern in this country,” Talarico told reporter Ryan Chandler. “And the filibuster, which is not in the Constitution — it’s a Jim Crow relic. It is leading to gridlock in our nation’s capital.” The progressive lawmaker argued axing the 60-vote threshold would finally let Congress tackle soaring costs for essentials like groceries, gas, and health care.
Schumer Punts on Filibuster Fate
But Democratic leaders aren’t racing to fulfill Talarico’s wish. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dodged questions about killing the filibuster after Tuesday’s election wins, telling reporters the caucus would first focus on lowering living costs through normal legislative channels. Democrats now hold 51 seats but lack the 60 votes typically needed to bypass a filibuster, except on budget bills shielded by reconciliation rules.
Echoes of Trump’s Failed Push
The debate mirrors Republicans’ internal battles under Donald Trump, who repeatedly begged his own party to scrap the filibuster during unified GOP control. “Terminate it, without question,” Trump demanded in 2025, complaining the rule let Democrats stymie his agenda. But Senate Republicans rejected the idea, with leaders like John Thune and Ron Johnson warning it would backfire once Democrats regained power — precisely the scenario now unfolding.
Eliminating the filibuster wouldn’t automatically enact every Democratic priority, as the party would still need total unity across its slim majority plus House and White House backing. But Talarico’s blunt comments signal progressives intend to pressure Schumer on an issue that could define the new majority’s legislative ambition.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/jim-crow-relic-talarico-calls-for-ending-senate-filibuster