Deal to end government shutdown takes shape in Senate
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House last month. Photo: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The contours of a three-legged plan to end the government shutdown came into sharper focus on Monday, senators and aides told Axios.
Why it matters: Two of the plan's three pillars — a vote on Affordable Care Act tax credits and a new short-term funding bill — include significant question marks. But the optimism was unmistakable.
- "I think we're getting close to an off ramp here," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).
- "Now the challenge is to get leaders of both parties and both chambers to actually talk to each other," Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told Axios.
- "They're trying again, and they seem more optimistic," Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters.
Reality check: GOP senators are at odds over the length of the next spending stopgap, known as a continuing resolution (CR).
- "The longer sort of runway there is," the better, Thune said Monday.
- If there's a deal, the House would have to come back late this week to approve a spending bill that goes beyond Nov. 21.
"The day is going to have to change," Thune said.
- "Mine is Dec. 19," Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters. "My worry is that if we go into January … we'll end up with a disastrous yearlong CR."
- "Completely agree with @SenRickScott on extending a CR well beyond the New Year," Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said on X.
What we're hearing: While Republicans are willing to give Democrats a vote on the health care tax credits, it's unclear if it will require a 60-vote threshold — or just a simple majority.
- Fifty is possible but will require an agreement between Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). They haven't been particularly chatty with each other.
- Senate GOP leadership outlined the concept of a deal at a meeting with legislative directors earlier in the day, according to people familiar with the matter.
- The plan's third leg seems like the easiest lift: passing a "mini-bus" to fund military construction, legislative affairs and agriculture. It would provide proof of concept that appropriators can still do full-year bills.
The bottom line: After a weekend of frequent phone calls among centrist senators, Democrats appeared ready to claim victory and end the shutdown.
- "What they've been saying for a month is 'We won't negotiate with you at all,'" Coons told Axios. "That's clearly a position they've moved away from."
- The gist: A handful of Democrats will supply some eight votes for a new short-term CR in exchange for a promised vote on the ACA tax credits.
Editor's note: This piece was corrected to show John Thune is the majority leader (not majority whip).
