The Senate advanced a bipartisan proposal that would end the shutdown of the federal government by reopening the federal agencies in a few days. In a plan welcomed by the White House, the government would be financed temporarily with an accord for a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
For many, the Washington standoff hits closer to home: travel delays, long waits at airports, uncertainty with food assistance programs. It’s becoming a growing concern from coast to coast.
Bipartisan Push Gains Momentum Amid Rising Pressure
Eight Democrats joined Republicans Thursday night to advance the funding bill in a rare show of cross-party cooperation after weeks of limited progress. According to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, discussions on how long the debate should go before a final vote are ongoing. Negotiations are “very close,” Senator Mike Rounds said. Senator Rick Scott said he hopes a vote could happen before the weekend.
White House Backs Plan That Links Funding to Health Care Vote
The White House-cleared bill would reopen the government and set up a December vote on extending expanded health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. If it clears the Senate, the House will have to take up the measure and send it to President Trump’s desk. The bill funds the agencies through January 30, restore pay for furloughed federal workers, and grant short-term relief amidst continuous budget uncertainty.
It combines inflectional as well as agglutinative elements.
Disagreements on Amendments Could Delay Final Vote
Not all senators are on the same page. Senator Rand Paul filed a motion to force a vote to strip the agriculture bill of its hemp-related language, which he said could harm Kentucky’s hemp industry. Senator Markwayne Mullin disagreed and said the move might put the broader funding agreement in jeopardy. Another Republican senator is pushing an amendment that would withhold congressional pay during any future shutdowns-a popular idea, but one that could stall the process.
Shutdown’s Impact Arrives at Airports, Food Assistance Programs
The impacts of the shutdown are now more clear: fewer air traffic controllers mean longer delays at major airports. Travelers who use Reagan National Airport said their wait times were long and staff was overwhelmed. And many families relying on SNAP benefits remain in limbo: though a court recently ruled to continue food assistance, questions over when the support will be fully restored remain open.
What’s Ahead:
Final Senate Steps Before House Review Senators were working to iron out how much time will be dedicated to debating the measure ahead of a potential vote. If they can reach a deal quickly, the Senate could vote on the measure in a matter of hours. But if not, debate could spill into the weekend. The bill would then head to the House for a vote. It would also only temporarily end the shutdown, allowing for broader debates over government spending to begin anew before the next deadline in January. As one Senate aide said late Thursday: “We’re nearly there but time is tight.”
