Democrats weigh ending Senate filibuster as one senator warns of a 'double-edged sword'

Democratic senators are signaling they may move to eliminate the Senate filibuster as their party gets ready to take control of the chamber, with one lawmaker saying the option must remain available and another warning it could become a "double-edged sword."

"Obviously, the filibuster is something that has to be on the table," Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., told Fox News Digital when asked about the party's plans for the chamber.

Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., struck a more cautious tone, warning that changing the rules could carry consequences that outlast Democrats' time in power. "Some of these things that we see here can be very much a double-edged sword," Kim said. "I'm not saying that's to deter us from doing it if we decide to do it. But I wanna make sure that everyone's clear-eyed about what we're doing."

Eliminating the Senate's 60-vote threshold would let Democrats move most legislation with a simple majority, curtailing Republicans' power to block their agenda. The same advantage, however, would pass to the GOP if it regains control of the chamber.

Asked whether Democrats would pursue a rules change while President Donald Trump is still in office or hold off until a possible Democratic presidential win in 2028, Markey was noncommittal. "We're discussing a progressive agenda right now and amongst the other Democratic senators," he said. "So I'll be listening to everyone's views on what is the best strategy."

Trump had urged Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster while pushing to pass the SAVE America Act, warning that Democrats would do away with it if they reclaimed the majority, which they now have.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declined to say whether he would back eliminating the filibuster if Democrats win the White House in 2028. Schumer faces scrutiny from progressives as the party weighs its leadership after retaking the majority.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., announced Thursday that he will challenge Schumer for Senate Majority Leader, and he supports ending the filibuster, describing it as "anti-democratic." "My personal view has been all along that the filibuster is an anti-democratic … provision. It's not in our Constitution," Van Hollen said. "It was put in there by senators to enhance their power over the power of the people."

Kim cautioned that rewriting Senate rules could establish a precedent Democrats come to regret. "When you open the door…you gotta be ready," he said. "You don't wanna shoot from the hip when it comes to really big issues that are affecting our country in this way."

He proposed pursuing legislation "through other means" before resorting to abolishing the filibuster. "I think we as a caucus would need to think through…what would we want to pass such that that would be an obstacle, you know, and I think we should be pushing as much as we can through other means," Kim said.