McConnell is widely considered an institutionalist loath to change Senate rules. But even if leadership did support going nuclear it’s unclear if there’s enough support among GOP senators to carry it out.
In addition to Hatch and Alexander, GOP Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) are signaling they aren’t inclined to overhaul Senate rules, though they’ll likely face a mountain of pressure to change their minds.
Republicans are expected to have 52 seats next year and would need a simple majority to overhaul Senate rules. They could lose only two senators if they wanted to gut the filibuster.
Conservative senators, who frequently clash with leadership, could also oppose giving up one of their top tools for slowing down legislation they oppose.
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