By Jim Thomas | Friday, 31 October 2025 06:28 PM EDT
Former Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., criticized efforts to end the Senate filibuster during an interview on a radio program, arguing that its removal would empower Democrats to consolidate control and erode conservative influence in Congress.
Brown, who supported House Speaker Mike Johnson’s opposition to scrapping the 60-vote threshold, warned that dismantling the rule would allow Democrats to push their agenda without opposition. He cited concerns over potential moves to expand the Supreme Court and grant statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., which he claimed would shift power toward progressive interests.
“The Democrats have told us exactly what they want to do,” Brown said. “If you eliminate the filibuster, I believe we will never be in charge again. And a lot of those rights and freedoms that we treasure will go away.”
The remarks came as Republican leaders distanced themselves from President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the GOP invoke the “nuclear option” to end the 60-vote requirement for most legislation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Johnson defended the filibuster as a safeguard against one-party dominance.
Brown also criticized congressional Democrats for allowing the government shutdown to continue, blaming their refusal to negotiate. He highlighted the impact on New Hampshire residents reliant on federal programs, including 75,000 people who would lose SNAP benefits over the weekend.
“Democrats have known these things were going to happen for years and they’ve done nothing,” Brown said. “They’re holding everybody hostage because it’s the only leverage they have.”
Brown, now a candidate for the Republican nomination in New Hampshire’s 2026 Senate race, emphasized the need for negotiations over procedural tactics, urging Trump to focus on resolving conflicts rather than leveraging power. “The fact that the House and Senate have gone away for the weekend is like, are you kidding me? Do your jobs,” he added.
