Senate Democrats revealed late Sunday that, following a lengthy caucus, they have secured sufficient votes to reopen the federal government after a significant 40-day shutdown.
A coalition of moderate Democrats, including independents Sen. Angus King from Maine and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, who align with the Democrats, have worked out a deal with Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee, headed by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
After the caucus, King expressed to reporters that a vote will take place to push the bill through the Senate, noting that many Democrats believe the shutdown has gone on long enough.
When asked about his confidence in securing enough votes, King replied, “Certainly so.”
The Senate is set to convene at 8 a.m., with a vote anticipated on Sunday night to terminate the shutdown.
King mentioned that the “length of the shutdown” prompted Democrats to reach an agreement, as many of the deal’s components had been under consideration for weeks.
He noted that it is becoming clearer that Republicans are unlikely to entertain a plan to both reopen the government and extend health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire in January.
King added that there remains a “possibility” for the renewal of those subsidies since Senate Majority Leader John Thune has assured Democrats they will have a vote on ACA subsidies in November as part of the arranged deal.
“Part of the deal is a vote on ACA subsidies,” he stated.
He underscored that he and other Democratic members are eager to end the shutdown swiftly as “so many people are hurting.”
However, the bill must first pass the House, where no votes have occurred since September 19, before moving on to President Trump’s desk for approval.
That said, several Democrats have committed to opposing the deal, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Ruben Gallego, Tammy Baldwin, and Chris Van Hollen.
“Winks and nods that provide no real assurance we’ll address this health crisis later are insufficient for me or the families I represent in Wisconsin,” Baldwin stated in response.
