Thune said on Saturday that ‘We’re only a handful of votes away’ from approving a bill to fund and reopen the government.
The government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—reached its 40th day on Nov. 9, as the funding lapse has led to disruptions in flights nationwide, left federal workers without pay, and has threatened access to food assistance for millions of needy Americans as Congress vies for an end to the showdown.
The Senate stayed in Washington over the weekend in the hope of brokering a deal to end the standoff that has stretched into its sixth week.
However, lawmakers made little progress. Republicans are hoping to hold votes on a new package of bills that aim to fund the government through January while also granting full-year funding for several portions of the government. It’s unclear if there will be enough support from Democrats for these efforts to succeed.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Saturday, “We’re only a handful of votes away” from approving a bill to fund and reopen the government.
Democrats have reiterated their position on retaining subsidies for health plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, which millions of Americans rely on for medical insurance coverage. Republicans have said no to using an extension of health care subsidies as a precondition to reopen the government, but are signaling a willingness to consider a new proposal from a small group of moderate Democrats to end the shutdown if the Senate agrees to hold a later vote on the expiring subsidies.
Premiums are expected to more than double next year for those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act health care marketplace if Congress does not offer extensions.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with the Democratic Party, said vowing to hold a later vote on extending the subsidies would be a “wasteful gesture” unless “you have the commitment of the speaker of the House that he will support it and that the president of the United States will sign it.”
President Donald Trump has pushed congressional Republicans to hold the line in shutdown negotiations with Democrats, and has recently pressed lawmakers in his party to get rid of the Senate’s filibuster rules that require support from at least 60 senators to advance most legislation.
By Jacob Burg
