Senate Prepares Key Vote on New Approach to End Government Shutdown
Legislative Efforts Underway
As Day 38 of the government shutdown unfolds, the Senate is set to vote on advancing a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) for the 15th time today. This latest Republican strategy aims to garner support from moderate Democrats by proposing an amendment that would include long-term appropriations bills and extend government funding beyond November 21. Senate Republicans hope that these changes will entstart enough bipartisan support to reopen the government following weeks of impasse.
The Senate will reconvene at noon today, with the exact timing of the vote still pending. To advance, the resolution requires 60 votes, making bipartisan cooperation crucial. Despite an increase in negotiations, Democratic support remains uncertain, especially after recent election results saw Democrats winning key races, emboldening their negotiating position.
Impacts on Air Travel
Complicating matters further, the Trump administration has begun canceling thousands of flights across the United States in a bid to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers affected by the shutdown.
SNAP Benefits Controversy
The Juststart Department has requested an appeals court to pause a district judge’s order mandating the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide full federal food benefits for November. This request raises issues of government accountability, with the Trump administration expressing concerns over the ruling’s implications for the separation of powers. The administration has indicated plans to distribute partial payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while seeking to cover the shortfall using contingency funds.
Leadership Statements
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated to reporters that working through the weekend may be necessary if today’s vote does not succeed. He emphasized the urgency of resolving the shutdown for the wellbeing of the country, suggesting that continued negotiations would occur if bipartisan support remains elusive.
Thune also addressed criticisms concerning the Democratic leadership’s reluctance to engage with moderate members, suggesting that some in the Democratic caucus are under pressure to reject compromise proposals.
Future Legislative Prospects
The Senate’s planned vote aims to amend the CR to incorporate three full-year appropriations measures, with recent bipartisan discussions seemingly stalling due to Democrats holding closed-door caucus meetings. While some moderate Democrats express willingness to negotiate, others appear committed to leveraging their recent electoral victories to secure more favorable terms regarding health care demands.
Should today’s vote be unsuccessful, further attempts may be made over the weekend, as highlighted by Thune’s remarks regarding ongoing discussions among lawmakers.
Ongoing Negotiations in Context
In recent days, Republican senators discussed altering filibuster rules to lower the threshold for funding government during a shutdown, although broad Republican agreement on such changes remains unlikely. The existing 60-vote requirement has proven challenging for bipartisan cooperation, further complicating efforts to resolve the shutdown crisis.
The current legislative negotiations reflect a broader struggle within both parties over strategies to effectively address budgetary and appropriations issues, underlining the need for collaborative governance in times of political division.