Senators Reach Deal to End Longest Government Shutdown
Senators have struck an agreement to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, though they express doubts about similar circumstances arising early next year.
A bipartisan bill was introduced in the Senate late Monday that would allow government agencies to reopen until January 30, pending approval from the House this week. Lawmakers believe this extension could provide enough time to fund the government adequately, thus preventing future shutdowns.
The outcome hinges on whether the spending bill can be finalized by the agreed deadline and sent to President Trump for signature.
Democrats Frustrated Over Shutdown
Many Democrats feel empty-handed due to the shutdown and have directed their frustration towards Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. It’s noted that if Senate Democrats are unable to secure a vote on expiring Obamacare subsidies, Congress may struggle to avoid another shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune remarked, “We’ll take it one day at a time. This is another deadline we need to meet. Our immediate goal is to reopen the government and initiate dialogue.” He also mentioned that both parties have an interest in tackling health care issues, as there’s a pressing affordability problem to resolve.
Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the need for Democrats to unify and urge Republicans to fulfill their promise to hold a health care vote in December. Thune assured that he would aim to bring the Democratic health care proposal to the Senate floor by the second week of December.
Senate Ends Shutdown Impasse and Moves Forward
The agreement aims at funding government operations efficiently. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins expects Thune to draft a spending bill encompassing defense, labor, transportation, and housing.
Senator Mike Rounds expressed uncertainty on whether lawmakers would approach the same position in January but acknowledged the importance of moving forward with new spending initiatives. He indicated that the bipartisan deal reached to reopen the government provides a solid foundation for preventing another shutdown.
While there’s evident frustration among Democrats over dwindling focus on health care, there is still a desire to pass a bipartisan funding bill aimed at countering prior cuts made during the Trump administration.
However, Senator Chris Murphy predicted that reaching a bipartisan long-term budget would be substantially more challenging. He voiced concerns that a budget lacking health care provisions would be unacceptable.
Currently, perspectives vary widely among senators. Some, like John Kennedy, view the January deadline as distant, while others remain cautious about making predictions. “We’ll take it one step at a time,” stated Chris Van Hollen.
