Moderate Senate Democrats are encountering significant obstacles in their bid to conclude the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, as internal divisions and resistance to a potential agreement persist.
Senate Democrats convened for over two hours during lunch on Tuesday to deliberate on the framework of a proposed deal, according to The Hill. The plan would involve passing regular appropriations bills and a commitment to vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end.
Most Senate Democrats have voted 14 times against a House-passed clean continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through November 21. A 15th vote was scheduled for Wednesday. The only senators consistently crossing party lines to support ending the shutdown, now in its 36th day, are Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and independent Angus King of Maine, who aligns with Democrats.
A source familiar with Tuesday’s intense caucus discussion told The Hill that at least eight Democratic votes appear to exist to reopen the government—enough to end the shutdown—but noted the situation remains fluid. “To me, it looked like there were eight votes, but it could change. There’s a lot to think about,” the source said.
Senate sources indicated that moderate Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Gary Peters of Michigan have outlined deal parameters and are urging more colleagues to endorse the plan. Another source revealed that Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire has also signaled potential support for a short-term spending agreement.
If Shaheen, Peters, and Hassan back the deal, Republicans would require just two additional votes—assuming Cortez Masto, Fetterman, and King follow suit—to end the shutdown, as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has repeatedly opposed the clean CR. A senator involved in negotiations told The Hill: “There’s a plan. We’ve all kind of semiagreed to it, and we’re now seeing not whether [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer will support it, but whether he will not blow it up.”
By Michael Katz
Newsmax reporter with over 30 years of experience covering news, culture, and politics.
