Senate Moves to Vote on Ending 40-Day Federal Government Shutdown

The United States Senate is poised to vote on a measure aimed at reopening the federal government, which has been in a historic shutdown for the past 40 days. Optimism surrounds the potential passage of a House-approved stopgap funding bill, with a vote expected as early as Sunday evening. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the bill would likely be amended to include a short-term funding measure alongside a package of three full-year appropriations bills.

This amended package must still clear the House of Representatives and subsequently receive approval from President Donald Trump, a process that could extend over several days. Senate Democrats have expressed resistance to passing the funding measure, seeking to leverage the situation to secure health care reforms, particularly the extension of expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. A proposal is on the table to hold a separate vote on these subsidies at a later date.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, has voiced his opposition to the funding measure, citing a lack of clarity regarding the timing and specifics of the promised vote on health care tax credits. “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,” he stated. Despite his opposition, there may be sufficient Democratic support to pass the bill.

The ongoing shutdown has significant repercussions, affecting federal employees, food aid programs, parks, and travel. Staffing shortages within air traffic control have raised concerns about potential disruptions during the busy Thanksgiving holiday season, which falls on November 27, 2023.

Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, noted that the cumulative effects of the shutdown have created pressure for a resolution. He indicated that the final agreement would include a new resolution to fund government operations through late January, addressing some of the recent layoffs of federal workers initiated by the Trump administration. “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together,” Tillis told reporters.

The economic implications of a prolonged shutdown are becoming more pressing. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that if the government remains closed for an extended period, economic growth could decline in the fourth quarter, particularly if air travel does not normalize by Thanksgiving.

As the Senate convenes for this crucial vote, the future of the federal shutdown hangs in the balance, with potential impacts on millions of Americans and critical government services.