WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called on Senate Republicans to vote to get rid of the filibuster in the upper chamber, amid a government shutdown that has lasted nearly a month.

“BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE STONE COLD “CRAZY,” THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE “NUCLEAR OPTION,” GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote on social media late Thursday night.

Because of the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate, most legislation needs 60 votes to pass. While a majority of lawmakers could revise those rules, both parties have largely resisted doing so to preserve their ability to shape legislation when outside of the majority. During the recent funding showdown, Democrats have refused to support a Republican bill offering stopgap funding unless the GOP agrees to extend health care subsidies.

It’s not Trump’s first time calling for the end of the filibuster; he regularly did so during his first term as his legislative efforts stalled in the upper chamber.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, suggested earlier this month that the party wouldn’t trigger the so-called nuclear option to push funding legislation forward.

Thune repeated his opposition to the move and told Politico that he “had not had that conversation” when asked if the White House was pushing for it.

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