Senate Republican leaders have shown little appetite for using the nuclear option to eliminate the 60-vote legislative filibuster, despite repeated calls from President Trump and some members during periods of gridlock. The chamber has instead relied on targeted rule changes, such as expediting nominations or specific resolutions, while preserving the full filibuster to block future majority-party legislation from the opposing side. Recent pressure emerged in April 2026 when Sen. Ron Johnson urged ending the rule amid funding disputes and tensions with Iran, yet Majority Leader John Thune has repeatedly signaled resistance. Upcoming budget deadlines and confirmation fights could test this stance, though historical precedent and caucus divisions favor continuity unless a sustained crisis alters the balance.