Something wicked this way comes. What was once a far-fetched fear is now looking increasingly plausible, even likely: That Senate Republicans will blow up the filibuster to end the government shutdown.

This would be the ultimate nuclear option, toppling the last major hurdle to single party rule in Washington.

By removing the 60-vote threshold for most Senate votes, the current Republican majority — and any future Senate majority of either party — would be empowered to ram its agenda through without so much as consulting the other party.

Despite the dangers, Republicans are openly entertaining it. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said last week that he is “not willing to see children in my state go hungry ... over some Senate procedure.” And Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said of ending the filibuster, “If we can’t get anything done, that’s what [Democrats] are gonna force.”

There are three reasons this scenario is becoming more likely. First, Democrats have no leverage. In any negotiation, leverage only exists when the other side wants something, and........

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