The Nuclear Option Why One Senator Is Daring Republicans To Break The Unwritten Rules Of Washington Forever

It would indicate that the party opted for the security of tradition over the risk of conflict when the pressure was at its highest and the chance for significant change was close at hand. Kennedy is holding the match to the flame in the eyes of many, who view election integrity as the GOP’s ultimate litmus test. He is requesting that the party leadership determine whether they are prepared to rebuild the unwritten map of Senate power or if they are happy to be a permanent minority that abides by the rules.

The outcome would be revolutionary if the risk pays off. Beyond the immediate effects of the SAVE America Act itself, the Senate’s operations would be drastically changed if reconciliation were successfully used on such a prominent non-fiscal topic. For any party astute enough to phrase their social or political concerns in terms of the budget, it would essentially herald the end of the filibuster. It would demonstrate that the Senate is now a powerful motor for the will of the majority rather than a cooling saucer for contentious matters.