Senate Advances Funding Measure, Moving a Step Closer to Ending Shutdown
Senate Session Overview
The Senate adjourned late Sunday evening at approximately 11:15 PM and is scheduled to reconvene at 11 AM the following day. During the session, the Senate successfully advanced a House-passed measure intended to fund the government, signaling potential progress toward ending a prolonged shutdown that had impacted numerous federal operations.
House Prepares for Upcoming Vote
Following the Senate’s actions, House leaders notified their members to be ready for votes concerning government funding expected this week. The whip notstart specified that representatives would receive a 36-hour notstart before any scheduled votes. The last time the House participated in a vote was September 19.
Supportive Views from Democratic Senators
Several Democratic senators defended their support for the government funding measure during a press conference. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire remarked, “This was the only deal on the table,” highlighting the necessity of advancing the funding measures. Senator Angus King, an independent who works with the Democrats, termed the deal “a win for the American people,” asserting that further delays on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) discussions were impractical.
Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia emphasized the urgency to aid recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expressing relief at the inclusion of robust SNAP funding and a promise of a vote on ACA tax credits, albeit not a commitment to a specific outcome.
Contrarily, Senator John Hickenlooper from Colorado maintained a “no” vote stance, criticizing the deal for failing to address pressing healthcare needs, while still affirming the importance of providing healthcare to all Americans.
Senate Vote Details
The Senate voted 60 to 40 to advance the funding bill, with eight Democrats crossing party lines to join Republicans in support. This marks a significant departure from previous attempts, where similar proposals fell short on 14 occasions. The names of the Democrats who supported the measure included Senators Dick Durbin, Angus King, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, John Fetterman, Tim Kaine, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan.
In light of this advancement, Senate GOP leadership is expected to amend the legislation to include full-year appropriations bills, alongside extending temporary funding through January, further facilitating a resolution to the shutdown.
Reaction and Continuing Negotiations
The negotiations in the Senate continue to be complicated, with various opinions emerging regarding the funding measures and their implications for healthcare funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for resisting healthcare discussions during this crisis, vowing to continue advocating for health care reforms.
Senator King noted that many Democrats shifted their positions due to the prolonged nature of the shutdown, suggesting that the likelihood of reaching a solution on the ACA was diminishing.
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that House Democrats would likely not support legislation that does not extend ACA credits, reflecting ongoing tensions within the negotiations.
The Role of the White House
President Trump, upon returning to the White House, expressed optimism about nearing an end to the shutdown, stating, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know very soon.” His administration’s influence continues to shape negotiations, particularly surrounding the ACA and funding measures.
As these discussions unfold, all eyes remain on the upcoming votes in both chambers, with thousands of federal employees and millions of Americans awaiting the resolution of this budget impasse.