After 37 days of gridlock, lawmakers are showing early signs that the record-breaking government shutdown is about to end, though a final agreement still remains elusive.
“There seems to be some indication of a thaw,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said this week about the Democratic Party holdout.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the shutdown’s impacts. Aviation worries are mounting, federal workers continue without paychecks, and food stamps are about to be halted. Lawmakers across the aisle want a deal, but finding common ground has proven difficult.
“I’m optimistic that we should get something done this week,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. “I think there’s a path forward here.”
The shutdown began October 1 after Democrats in the Senate refused to pass a continuing resolution already approved by the House on September 19. That House-passed bill would have funded the government through November 21, but Republicans now say that deadline no longer makes sense.
“We’ve lost five weeks. So the November 21st, deadline no longer makes a lot of sense,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Republicans are now eyeing a longer spending bill running through late January. But any deal requires Democratic votes to break a filibuster in the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., offered few details about what Democrats might support, and has only repeatedly shot down Republican bills.
“We had a very good caucus and we’re exploring all the options,” Schumer said.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans developed a new plan they hoped might end the shutdown. The proposal would fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects, the Department of Agriculture, and Congress itself until September 30, 2026. Lawmakers would attach another stopgap spending bill for the rest of the government until late January.
Democrats are demanding votes and guarantees related to healthcare subsidies that include illegal immigrants. The socialist wing of the party are pressuring Schumer not to cave over any spending reductions.
“He’s got to keep doing it and we’ve got to deliver a win because we can’t have what happened in the spring happen again,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.
Democrats say they have been emboldened after Tuesday’s election results.
“There is no reason to surrender now. Every reason to stand firm,” said Blumenthal. “The message of Tuesday simply confirms what we’ve been hearing again and again and again.”
Republicans, however, are frustrated with Democratic demands and are looking for a bipartisan solution.
“There’s been a group working in a very strong bipartisan manner, saying once this election is over, we’re going to reopen. And then today, they came back with some of the most ridiculous demands to take authority away from President Trump – wanting us as a Senate to guarantee what the House can and can’t do. And it’s just not feasible,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
But it’s aviation concerns that are pressuring Democratic lawmakers to make a deal as the nation approaches the Thanksgiving travel season. Air traffic controllers continue to work without paychecks.
“All it takes is one little accident. And if people die?” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. “So air travel is nothing to mess around with.”
Even if the Senate votes this week, few expect an immediate breakthrough, but suspect there has finally been movement from the Democrats towards the center.
“My hopes and expectations are always that we’re going to have [enough Democrats] to actually proceed. But I don’t know. We’ll see,” said Thune. “The Dems are having a hard time taking yes for an answer.”