Democrats Seek Resolution Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Senate Democrats are looking for a way out of the current government shutdown, and there’s a bit of cautious optimism floating around that a resolution might be on the horizon.
Senate Republicans have been pushing a proposal since nearly the start of the shutdown, and discussions reached a new level of urgency on Tuesday evening.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his colleagues are weighing several options. These include voting to extend Obamacare subsidies, linking additional spending bills to government funding, and possibly carrying a House-approved continuing resolution (CR) through December or January.
After a private three-hour lunch meeting, Schumer didn’t reveal much about what the Democrats might do next. He noted that the lunch—longer than usual—was productive, and that they’re “exploring all options.”
If enough Senate Democrats decide to collaborate with Republicans to reopen the government, it would mean a significant shift, especially after 36 days of insisting on a firm agreement regarding Obamacare premium subsidies.
Many Democrats, like Schumer, have been somewhat tight-lipped during these negotiations.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) remarked, “It’s still a work in progress,” indicating that the situation is fluid.
Among other priorities, lawmakers need to address three spending bills—known as minibuses—that allocate funds for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and various agricultural programs.
Senate appropriations members, who have been essential in fostering bipartisan discussions, believe that revamping the government funding process could help alleviate the shutdown.
“We’re in this situation because we haven’t passed a spending bill,” said Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama). “We think it would be really effective to start breaking the logjam there.”
Another important component involves Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) promising Senate Democrats they’ll get to vote on a bill addressing expiring Obamacare subsidies.
However, that effort faces significant hurdles, as Senate Republicans are intent on making considerable changes to the current plan.
Thune mentioned, “I think this is a pretty well-defined and established universe. The question is whether you accept the answer as ‘yes’.”
Much of the shutdown has underscored a profound mistrust that Senate Democrats harbor toward their Republican counterparts and President Trump. One of their key demands has been for the healthcare bill to pass with a simple majority, which Thune and Republicans dismissed.
Senate Democrats seem more focused on health care resolutions than the procedural guarantees Thune proposed.
“I’m interested in negotiations, but negotiations that lead to actual passage of the bill,” remarked Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut). “I just don’t think a voting agreement that Republicans are promising a rejection will be beneficial for ordinary Americans.”
Others, particularly progressives within the Senate Democratic caucus, are concerned about the implications of negotiating under pressure as the government struggles with funding issues impacting federal workers and food assistance programs.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed that if Democrats acquiesce now, it would be a betrayal to countless working families seeking to protect their healthcare benefits.
While Republicans claim they can’t predict future outcomes or guarantee democratic proposals will pass, they remain adamant that they can’t offer definitive results.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) highlighted that he believes Democrats are feeling exhausted by the prolonged standoff and may be ready to cooperate to end the stalemate.
