Imagine for a moment that Senate Republicans woke up tomorrow with a backbone and decided to fight as hard as Democrats do. With a Democrat majority about to take over the chamber, they'd look at the calendar, see the clock ticking, and decide to do everything in their power to protect this country from far-left radicalism before the keys change hands.
We can dream, right?
So, what would happen?
First, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas would retire, and Republicans would confirm their replacements during the lame-duck session. Unfortunately, Alito has said he isn't going anywhere, and Thomas hasn't signaled one way or the other. So right now, nobody should count on it. But hey, who knows?
The second thing is that Republicans would nuke the filibuster and push through as much of President Donald Trump's agenda as they can, starting with the most important bill on the table, the SAVE America Act.
Let's be honest, here: The filibuster already looks like it's on life support.
Texas State Rep. James Talarico (D-50th District), now a senator-elect, sat down for an NBC News interview and made it very clear that the legislative filibuster that Democrats haven’t hesitated to abuse over the past two years is near death.
"Yes. I believe that the majority has the right to govern in this country," Talarico said. "The filibuster, which is not in the Constitution, it's a Jim Crow relic — it is leading the gridlock in our nation's capital. It's why we can't bring down the cost of groceries, and gas, and utilities, and healthcare. It's why we can't get this economy back on track. And, so I believe the majority, whether it's a Democratic majority or a Republican majority should have the right to govern."
Talarico says he would vote to abolish the filibuster in the Senate: “I believe that the majority has a right to govern in this country.” https://t.co/045l8uQqC6
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) November 5, 2026
Convenient position to take when Democrats are about to take the majority.
Over the years, the filibuster has stalled priorities for both parties, and Trump has grumbled about it since his first term. Democrats know the game well. They infamously used it to block President George W. Bush's judicial nominees, then nuked it for nominations once Barack Obama sat in the Oval Office and Republicans held the minority. Because, you know, suddenly it was “racist.”
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So the filibuster’s value depends entirely on who holds the gavel. When Democrats sit in the minority, they treat it as a vital tool. When someone turns it against them, it suddenly becomes a "Jim Crow relic."
Funny how that works.
I expect the filibuster to die soon after Democrats return to power. It is true that with Trump still in the White House, it is somewhat moot, and they could arguably wait until after the 2028 election, but I wouldn't bet on their patience. And once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
I'll admit something: I used to oppose nuking the legislative filibuster. I figured Republicans should stay above the rule-changing games Democrats play whenever it suits them. Then Democrats made it clear they'd scrap it anyway, so I changed my mind. If it’s doomed, the GOP might as well beat them to the punch. Why not, right?
Of course, they didn't.
That's why I really hope the midterm election lights a fire under Senate Republicans. They still have time to nuke the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act. All it does is require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a valid photo ID to vote in federal elections. It's common-sense election integrity, and polls have shown broad support for the bill and its key pieces. Ordinary Americans already show ID to board a plane, pick up a prescription, or open a bank account. Asking the same before they cast a ballot that shapes the country's future hardly seems radical.
It's tragic that Republicans didn't get this done sooner. They can still make up for it, though, if they find the nerve to do what needs doing.
Majorities don't last forever, and the party that understands that uses every day it has. Democrats have never been shy about playing to win. If Senate Republicans finally found that same resolve, even this late in the game, they could hand the country a safeguard that outlives any single election, and that would make this the most productive lame duck in memory.
I dare to dream.
