Senate has enough Democratic votes to reopen government after 40-day shutdown

Senate Democrats emerged from a two-and-a-half-hour caucus meeting Sunday night announcing there will be enough votes in the Senate to reopen the federal government after a grueling 40-day shutdown.

A group of centrist Democrats led by Sens. Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), negotiated the deal to reopen government with Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee led by Sen. Susan Col...

Jeffries opposes Senate moves to end shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Sunday vowed to oppose a new Senate deal in the works to end the nearly six-week government shutdown.

In a statement, the Democratic leader dug his heels in on his party’s position that any legislation to reopen the government must include an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year, raising premiums for millions of Americans.

“House Democrats have co...

Democrats shift toward reopening government as key Virginia lawmaker backs deal

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who represents more than 144,000 federal employees in his home state, announced Sunday that he will support a deal to reopen the government even though it does not ensure an extension of enhanced health insurance premiums.

The legislation would, however, require the Trump administration to restore the thousands of federal workers fired during the shutdown during reductions in force (RIF), and it would prevent the president’s Office of Management and ...

Hopeful week ends with deeper funding impasse

Last Tuesday’s off-year elections have altered the shutdown fight, just not in the way many on Capitol Hill had hoped.

Heading into last week, lawmakers on both sides had felt glimmers of optimism that they were on a path to dissolving the budget impasse. Centrist senators in both parties were negotiating over a potential spending compromise, and observers predicted that the Nov. 4 elections would grease the skids for a quick reopening of the government.

Just the ...

Five unanswered questions about the historic government shutdown fight

The shutdown, which has broken the record for the longest in U.S. history, has left many Americans wondering when exactly the government will reopen its doors.

Even lawmakers on Capitol Hill don’t have the answer.

Though there have been bipartisan negotiations in the Senate, no agreement has been finalized that would satisfy both parties. Democrats have demanded an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire at the...

Sunday shows preview: Government shutdown lingers as Dems, GOP fight for way out

The government shutdown has spanned 38 days, making it the longest federal shuttering in United States history, surpassing the standoff during President Trump’s first term. 

Lawmakers in Washington have remained deadlocked over the House-authored continuing resolution (CR), which Senate Democrats have voted against 14 times. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Saturday that the upper chamber will remain in session until a deal is reached.

With the ...

Rare Saturday Senate session ends with few signs of shutdown progress

Senators ended a rare Saturday session at the Capitol with no votes, no text of a three-bill "minibus" and few signs of progress toward a possible shutdown offramp.

Lawmakers are now eyeing a possible vote on Sunday, when senators will gather again to try to find a solution to the 39-day funding impasse.

Senate GOP leaders decided against holding a vote late Saturday afternoon as negotiators push forward in a bid to wrap up a deal on the three-bill “minibus” to ...

Charlamagne Tha God presses Dems to end shutdown impasse: ‘Stop playing politics’

Charlamagne Tha God urged Senate Democrats to reopen the government, citing citizens' dire needs amid the federal shuttering. 

The radio host said during a Wednesday segment of "The Breakfast Club" that the party needs to abandon the fight to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies to ensure that federal workers receive pay. 

“Dems, you had a great night last night,” Charlamagne said referring to the party’s Tuesday election wins.

“The premium...

Live updates: Republicans, Democrats in deadlock over shutdown; Trump doubles down on nixing filibuster

Senate Republicans are in a deadlock with Democrats after pressure tactics to end the 38-day government shutdown failed to break the impasse.

The chamber is meeting for a rare Saturday session as lawmakers hope to hash out a deal.

Senate Republicans are batting around various ideas to break the stalemate, such as voting on a new Senate-drafted bill that would fund a large swath of the federal government through fiscal year 2026.

They rejected a Democrat...