**[Trump Calls on Senate Republicans to Abolish Filibuster to Break Government Shutdown Deadlock]** Golden Finance reports that amid a government shutdown lasting nearly a month, U.S. President Trump has urged Senate Republicans to vote to abolish the Senate's filibuster rule—known as the "long debate system" (filibuster). Late Thursday night, Trump posted on social media: "Given that the Democrats have completely 'gone crazy,' the choice is clear—invoke the 'nuclear option,' abolish the filibuster, and make America great again." Due to the U.S. Senate's filibuster rule, most legislation requires 60 votes to pass. While a majority of senators can amend these rules, both parties have generally refused to do so in order to retain the ability to influence legislation when not in the majority. In the recent funding standoff, Democrats have refused to support the temporary funding bill proposed by Republicans unless Republicans agree to extend healthcare subsidies. This is not the first time Trump has called for the abolition of the filibuster; during his first term, he made similar proposals multiple times as his legislative efforts were blocked in the Senate. Earlier this month, U.S. Senate Republican leader John Thune stated that the party would not use the so-called "nuclear option" to push through the funding bill. When asked whether the White House was advocating for this move, Thune reiterated his opposition and said, "We have not discussed this topic." (Jin10)