The only way to gut Social Security unilaterally would be to nuke the filibuster, and Thune said he won’t do that.
Probably because he knows that if he did, then the next time Democrats hold a trifecta they will use it to enact a far more progressive version of Social Security. And unilaterally gutting Social Security would very likely give Democrats that trifecta in 2028.
Only if Republicans convince 7 Democratic Senators to help them reach the 60 needed to gut Social Security.
Which won’t happen.
Not exactly. If they craft it as a budget bill, all they need is 50.
You are referring to “reconciliation”, which cannot be filibustered.
Reconciliation can be used for the regular budget, but changes to Social Security are explicitly prohibited.
Oh good, there’s a rule in place to stop republicans. I can now rest easy.
The only way to gut Social Security unilaterally would be to nuke the filibuster, and Thune said he won’t do that.
Probably because he knows that if he did, then the next time Democrats hold a trifecta they will use it to enact a far more progressive version of Social Security. And unilaterally gutting Social Security would very likely give Democrats that trifecta in 2028.
Unless you ignore the parliamentarian. Which the GOP would never do.
That’s equivalent to nuking the filibuster. Which Thune doesn’t want to do, because it guarantees that Social Security Plus is enacted in 2028.
Why 2028?
Because in the 2028 election, the GOP would be reminded why Social Security is the third rail of politics.
An election in 2028?
Assuming we even have fair elections any more.