Jan 21, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Bipartisan group of senators meet in attempt to end shutdown

Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake in the Capitol

Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake talk to reporters in the Capitol. Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

Moderate Senate Republicans and Democrats convened in Susan Collins' office this afternoon in a bipartisan attempt to resolve the government shutdown. On entering, Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters that he expected a breakthrough tonight — with a three-week continuing resolution and an "understanding" to move forward soon on DACA — and blasted White House senior adviser Stephen Miller by name for contributing to the impasse on immigration:

“As long as Stephen Miller is in charge of negotiating immigration, we're going nowhere. He’s been an outlier for years.”
— Sen. Lindsey Graham

The participants, per Politico's Elana Schor:

  • Democrats: Joe Donnelly (IN), Maggie Hassan (NH), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), Doug Jones (AL), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (ME, independent — but caucuses with Democrats), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Joe Manchin (WV), Gary Peters (MI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Mark Warner (VA).
  • Republicans: Susan Collins (ME), Bob Corker (TN), Jeff Flake (AZ), Lindsey Graham (SC), Johnny Isakson (GA), and Mike Rounds (SD).
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