UPDATE: The US Senate is racing toward a crucial vote today to potentially end the historic 40-day shutdown of the federal government. Senators are expected to vote on advancing a House-passed stopgap funding bill as early as this evening, marking a significant step towards reopening the government.
The proposed legislation, which is set to be amended to merge a short-term funding measure with three full-year appropriations bills, is gaining traction amid rising optimism. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that this move reflects a collective urgency to resolve the funding impasse.
This shutdown has wreaked havoc across the nation, sidelining federal workers and jeopardizing essential services like food aid and travel. With Thanksgiving just weeks away on November 27, air travel disruptions and staffing shortages at key federal agencies are raising alarms.
Senate Democrats, led by Richard Blumenthal, are currently resisting a clean funding measure, insisting on a separate vote regarding health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Blumenthal voiced his concerns, stating,
“I am unwilling to accept a vague promise of a vote at some indeterminate time, on some undefined measure that extends the health care tax credits.”
Despite this, there may be enough bipartisan support to pass the funding package.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis emphasized the necessity of reaching an agreement, stating, “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together.”
The economic implications of this shutdown cannot be overstated. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that if the government remains closed much longer, it could negatively impact fourth-quarter economic growth, particularly if air travel does not return to normal levels by Thanksgiving.
As discussions progress, the Senate’s weekend session underscores the urgency of the moment. The proposed resolution would fund government operations through late January and aims to mitigate the mass layoffs of federal workers initiated by the Trump administration.
With time running out and the stakes high for millions of Americans relying on government services, all eyes are now on the Senate. The outcome of today’s vote could determine not just the immediate future of federal operations but also the broader economic landscape as the holiday season approaches.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
