Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, giving them the procedural capacity for a simple-majority rules change to eliminate the legislative filibuster, yet Senate Majority Leader John Thune has repeatedly stated that the caucus lacks the internal votes to pursue it. President Trump has intensified calls for the nuclear option to advance the SAVE America Act and resolve the ongoing government shutdown that began October 1, warning that inaction risks long-term Democratic advantages through statehood expansions. Thune has instead scheduled extended debate on the voting measure without altering the 60-vote threshold, while Republicans have applied targeted rule adjustments only to nominations. The November 2026 midterms introduce additional uncertainty over future control and incentives to preserve minority protections.