UPDATE: The US Senate is on the verge of a crucial vote aimed at ending the historic federal government shutdown, which has now entered its 40th day. As of Sunday evening, senators are set to advance a stopgap funding bill, raising hope that an agreement is imminent.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that the plan involves amending the House-passed funding bill to include a short-term funding measure alongside three full-year appropriations bills. This amended package, however, must still pass through the House and receive President Donald Trump‘s signature, a process that could extend over several days.
The shutdown has severely impacted federal workers, disrupted essential services, and threatens food assistance programs, with Thanksgiving, falling on November 27, approaching quickly. Air traffic control staffing shortages are creating fears of travel chaos during the holiday season, with millions of Americans relying on air travel.
Democratic senators are currently pushing back against the funding measure, insisting on negotiations for extending health care subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act. Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed his resistance, stating, “I am unwilling to accept a vague promise of a vote at some indeterminate time.” Despite this, he hinted there may be sufficient Democratic support to pass the measure.
Meanwhile, Senator Thom Tillis highlighted the mounting pressure to reach an agreement, noting that the final resolution could fund government operations into late January while alleviating some of the layoffs imposed during the shutdown. “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together,” he remarked to reporters.
The stakes are high, as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that prolonged shutdowns could lead to negative economic growth in the fourth quarter, particularly if air travel remains disrupted by Thanksgiving.
As the Senate gears up for this vital vote, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Millions of Americans are awaiting resolution, with potential ramifications for federal services and the economy hanging in the balance. The developments are unfolding rapidly, and all eyes will be on the Senate’s actions in the coming hours.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
