The filibuster allows the minority party in the US Senate to block bills should they fail to reach 60 votes in favour.
President Donald Trump has thrown himself into the ongoing debate over the United States government shutdown, calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster and reopen the government.
But that idea was swiftly rejected on Friday by Republican leaders who have long opposed such a move.
The filibuster refers to a Senate rule that requires 60 votes to overcome objections. Currently, that rule gives the minority Democrats a check on Republican power in the Senate.
In the chamber that’s currently split 53 to 47, Democrats have had enough votes to keep the government closed while
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