Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Victor Davis Hanson said Tuesday on Fox Business that Republicans have every incentive to preserve the Senate filibuster.
President Donald Trump urged Republicans to eradicate the filibuster after Senate Democrats used it numerous times to block the House-passed funding bill during the month-long shutdown. Appearing on “Kudlow,” Hanson said the procedural tool has blocked far more progressive priorities than conservative ones in the past two decades.
“I don’t think they should get rid of the filibuster. I think if you look at how it was used the last 20 years, it was more likely to stop left-wing agendas in the Senate than it was conservative agendas,” Hanson told Larry Kudlow.
Hanson said the rule remains one of the only effective guardrails against sweeping Democratic proposals should Republicans lose control of the Senate.
WATCH:
“And the conservatives are sort of more of a status quo. Let’s have some reverence for the past. The radical proposals that are really dangerous to the Republic come from the Democrats. And the only way you can stop it if you lose the Senate is the filibuster,” Hanson added. “I think it’s 180 years old, so it’s one of the oldest institutions, even though it’s not in the Constitution. So I wouldn’t get rid of it.”
The Senate filibuster has repeatedly stopped major Democratic agenda items over the years. In 2010, the DREAM Act won a simple majority but failed 55–41 because Democrats couldn’t reach the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.
In 2007, Republicans filibustered the Employee Free Choice Act, a top labor-union priority, preventing the bill from even moving to a final vote. And in 2009 and 2010, Democratic leaders abandoned their cap-and-trade climate legislation after it became clear the GOP would filibuster it, denying the bill the 60 votes required to advance.
Democrats repeatedly relied on the filibuster during Trump’s first term to derail major pieces of his policy agenda, including measures like the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Gallego makes bold claim about Trump’s intentions toward Venezuela - December 17, 2025
- Scott Jennings clarifies where Wiles stands with Trump after Vanity Fair backlash - December 17, 2025
- Trump orders major escalation against Venezuela - December 17, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
