In a significant development aimed at breaking a political deadlock, Senate Republican leader John Thune has announced that a deal to end the prolonged 40-day government shutdown is finally 'coming together'. The Senate has scheduled a crucial test vote for Sunday on a narrow spending package, though its success remains uncertain.
The Sunday Showdown: A Crucial Vote
Senator Thune revealed the plan for a procedural vote to advance a House-passed continuing resolution. This measure has previously failed to secure the required 60-vote threshold a staggering 14 times. The new strategy involves amending this measure to include a package of full-year appropriations bills, forming a core part of the deal to reopen the government.
"We'll see kind of where the votes are," Thune stated, acknowledging the precarious nature of the situation. He cautioned that such legislative processes "can drag on indefinitely if you allow it to," highlighting the fragility of the negotiations. The success of this vote is heavily dependent on securing support from a number of Senate Democrats, who are set to gather for a caucus meeting at 5 pm on Sunday.
Democratic Stance and Potential Hurdles
However, a major obstacle emerged even as the Senate moved forward. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement on Sunday night declaring that House Democrats would not support any legislation that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. These tax credits have been at the very heart of the shutdown fight, making this a non-negotiable point for Democrats and potentially jeopardizing the entire deal.
The GOP's 'Minibus' Funding Plan
As part of the Republican strategy to end the impasse, Senate appropriators have been busy. They released the third and final bill in a package of full-year funding bills, which is designated to fund the legislative branch. Earlier on Sunday, appropriators had also released bills to fund military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the FDA, and the Department of Agriculture.
This collection of bills, known as a 'minibus', represents a concerted effort by the GOP to piece together a functioning government by passing these critical, long-term funding measures. While the deal appears to be taking shape, the outcome of the Sunday vote will be the true test of whether the 40-day shutdown, now stretching the patience of the nation, is finally nearing its end.
