Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled caution about changing Senate rules to require a so-called “standing” or “talking” filibuster as Republicans seek to advance a voter identification bill that has stalled under current procedures.
The discussion follows reports from some House Republicans who suggested that Senate leaders and the White House had explored procedural options that could make it easier to bring certain legislation to a vote. One proposal involved limiting the modern filibuster, which allows senators to block legislation without holding the floor, by requiring continuous debate to delay action.
Under current Senate rules, a single senator can trigger a filibuster by signaling opposition, forcing the majority to secure 60 votes to end debate through cloture. A standing filibuster would require opponents to physically remain on the Senate floor and speak continuously, potentially for extended periods, in order to block a bill.
Speculation about potential changes increased after comments from several House Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who said discussions had taken place about using a standing filibuster to move election-related legislation. This includes the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and has already passed the House.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Thune said Senate Republicans would discuss the idea internally but stressed that no decision has been made. He warned that enforcing a talking filibuster could significantly limit the Senate’s ability to address other legislative priorities by consuming large amounts of floor time.
Thune also noted that the Senate faces a crowded agenda, including work on housing policy, infrastructure funding, artificial intelligence regulation, agricultural legislation, and permitting reform. He has previously expressed support for preserving the legislative filibuster, citing its role in protecting minority-party participation and encouraging bipartisan compromise.