Senate Budget Vote Looms Amid Shutdown
In Washington, the Senate is gearing up to vote on a comprehensive budget bill aimed at covering various sectors, including the military, Veterans Affairs, and food assistance. This move seems to be a strategy by Republicans to sway centrist Democrats into breaking ranks to help end a prolonged government shutdown, as reported.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) briefed fellow Republican lawmakers in a closed session, mentioning that funding related to the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture would be appended to a stopgap measure. This fix has been rejected by nearly all Democrats—a staggering 14 times, in fact.
The proposal has continually struggled to surpass a 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster. Yet, some Democrats, like Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), and Angus King (Independent from Maine), have voted with Republicans for a “clean” continuing resolution that would maintain government funding at current levels until November 21.
This amended budget also promises year-round funding for legislative operations and aims to extend financial support to other government branches past the November deadline—though it’s still unclear how far into the next year that might extend.
If all Senate Republicans and three cross-party Democrats support the bill, five additional Democratic votes are still needed for it to pass. After that, the House must reconvene to vote before it can reach the president’s desk.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) expressed his frustration to the media, describing the ongoing funding impasse—which has led to federal employees working without pay and widespread flight disruptions—as a “colossal failure.” He termed the situation a “goat rodeo.”
Meanwhile, Thune voiced his hope from the Senate floor, urging Democrats to agree, mentioning a willingness to revisit healthcare subsidies set to expire later this year as part of a future bill.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, saw virtually all Congress members except four Democrats reject the funding bill. According to Schumer and various others, the absence of Affordable Care Act subsidy provisions was a significant factor behind this rejection.
There’s ongoing speculation about whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will push moderates in his party to vote, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) suggesting that some moderate Democrats had been pressured not to engage with Republicans.
“Honestly, I’m less optimistic this morning than I was yesterday because I’ve heard some moderate Democrats are having discussions with Republicans,” Johnson commented.
On the horizon, Senators Gary Peters (D-Michigan) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) are not seeking re-election but appear to be rallying their colleagues to consider a compromise funding arrangement with Republicans.
Schumer remarked that, amidst the funding crisis, President Trump might feel increased pressure to find a resolution as Republicans brace for challenging elections ahead. He stated, “It’s essential for the President to sit down with Democrats. That’s the best approach to navigate through this crisis.”
