The U.S. Senate has initiated steps toward a vote aimed at reopening the federal government, signaling potential relief from a shutdown that has now reached its 40th day. On Sunday, senators began discussions to advance a House-passed stopgap funding bill, with a vote expected later in the evening. The proposal is likely to be amended to merge short-term funding with three full-year appropriations bills, as indicated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
While the Senate prepares for this vote, the amended package must still pass through the House of Representatives and receive the signature of President Donald Trump. This process could take several days, leaving many uncertainties regarding the duration of the shutdown.
Senate Democrats have largely resisted efforts to pass the funding measure, seeking to leverage the situation to negotiate health care reforms, specifically the extension of expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed his intent to oppose the funding measure but acknowledged that there might be sufficient Democratic support for its passage. He stated, “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.”
The ongoing shutdown has had significant repercussions, affecting federal employees, food assistance programs, national parks, and air travel. Staffing shortages in air traffic control could hinder travel during the critical Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on November 27, 2023.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina remarked on the increasing urgency to reach an agreement, noting the negative impact of the shutdown on government operations. He mentioned, “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together.” He also indicated that a final resolution would likely fund government operations through late January while addressing some layoffs initiated by the Trump administration.
The economic implications of the shutdown are severe. According to White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett, prolonged closure could potentially lead to negative economic growth in the fourth quarter, especially if air travel does not normalize before Thanksgiving.
As the Senate convenes for a rare Sunday session, the pressure mounts to resolve the funding impasse that has disrupted various services and left thousands of federal workers without pay. The outcome of this weekend’s negotiations will be crucial in determining the government’s ability to resume normal operations and mitigate the adverse effects of the shutdown.
