Harry Reid’s Nuclear Option Eyed to Break Shutdown Gridlock
The filibuster, a U.S. Senate rule rooted in the chamber’s tradition of extended debate, allows a minority of senators to block or delay legislation, requiring a supermajority of 60 votes to invoke "cloture" and end debate. This tactic has long shaped Senate dynamics, often stalling critical bills in a polarized Congress. With the federal government shut down since September 30, 2025, pressure is mounting to reform or bypass the filibuster to restore funding and reopen essential services.
Nevada has played a significant role in reshaping the filibuster’s modern use. In 2013, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, grew frustrated with Republican obstruction of President Obama’s judicial and executive nominations. He invoked the "nuclear option," a procedural maneuver that changed Senate rules to allow a simple majority (51 votes) to end debate on most nominations, bypassing the 60-vote cloture threshold. This move streamlined confirmations, significantly altering the Senate’s balance of power. Republicans later expanded this precedent in 2017 to include Supreme Court nominations. Reid’s legacy endures as a bold step toward curbing filibuster-driven gridlock.
Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat mentored by Reid, stands out as more practical than many of her Senate colleagues. During the ongoing government shutdown, she broke ranks with Democrats to back a Republican-led "clean" continuing resolution to fund the government. Her vote highlights Nevada’s influence in breaking Senate stalemates. Now in its fourth week, the shutdown has furloughed federal employees, shuttered national parks, and jeopardized funding for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, are now exploring ways to bypass the filibuster to pass a funding bill with a simple majority. One option is reviving the nuclear option, as Reid did, to temporarily or permanently lower the cloture threshold for spending bills. Another proposal is reinstating "talking filibusters," requiring senators to physically hold the floor, as seen in classic Senate standoffs, rather than relying on the threat of delay. Other reforms could carve out exceptions for critical legislation, such as budget or voting rights bills, to prevent future shutdowns.
A key figure in this debate is Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Senator Fetterman told reporters he would support Republicans using the nuclear option to override the filibuster and pass a bill to reopen the government. "I don’t want to see any Democrats clutching their pearls about it now," he said, referencing his 2022 campaign promise to eliminate the filibuster. "Carve it out so we can move on... The only losers are the American people."
Filibuster reform could unlock the current deadlock, potentially restoring government operations. However, altering or eliminating the filibuster carries long-term implications. A lower cloture threshold could enable faster passage of major legislation, from tax policy to infrastructure, but it risks empowering future majorities to steamroll opposition, raising concerns about unchecked power. For now, with federal services disrupted and public frustration growing, Nevada’s legacy of filibuster reform and Fetterman’s bold stance are driving the Senate toward a critical juncture.
