A Long-Awaited End to the Shutdown

The prolonged shutdown stalemate in the Senate officially came to an end late Monday night, positioning Congress to reopen the government later this week. A critical bipartisan funding package made its way forward, concluding the tense political impasse.

In a significant turn of events, a group of Senate Democrats opted to break away from the majority of their caucus to join forces with Senate Republicans, providing the essential votes required to advance the legislation aimed at ending the government shutdown.

Bipartisan Support Fuels Legislative Progress

Eight Senate Democrats, staying true to their commitment, sided with Republicans, thus supplying the necessary support to move the funding package forward to the House for further consideration.

The votes extended into the night on the 41st day of the shutdown, culminating in a new continuing resolution (CR) that has now been combined with a trio of spending bills into a minibus package that heads to the House.

The prospect of reaching this point seemed uncertain for much of the preceding week, especially earlier that day, as lawmakers had successfully navigated the first significant procedural hurdles. Nonetheless, there remained ongoing concerns regarding potential objections and other procedural maneuvers that could hinder progress.

“I think everybody’s pretty united [behind] this bill,” remarked Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio. “We want to reopen the government,” he added, highlighting the bipartisan efforts at play.

The Sticking Points for Senate Democrats

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York maintained that his caucus would only consent to a deal should they secure a comprehensive resolution regarding the expiring Obamacare subsidies. However, that deal, which was a priority for Democrats, did not materialize before the vote.

Instead, the eight Senate Democrats were presented with a proposal by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, which contained a commitment to schedule a vote addressing the subsidies in the near future. Thune reaffirmed this commitment, stating that a vote would occur “no later than the second week of December,” with the subsidies set to expire by year-end.

“We have senators, both Democrat and Republican, who are eager to get to work to address that crisis in a bipartisan way,” Thune explained. “These senators are not interested in political games; they’re interested in finding real ways to tackle healthcare costs for American families,” he added, alluding to the willingness of the parties to collaborate.

Gains for Senate Democrats amid Compromise

Despite the concessions, Senate Democrats did not leave negotiations empty-handed. The updated CR, which is set to keep the government functional until January 30, includes important stipulations aimed at reversing actions taken during the previous administration. Notably, it seeks to address issues surrounding the treatment of furloughed federal workers, ensuring they receive back pay and establishing further protections during potential future shutdowns.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, one of the eight who opted to join Republicans, expressed that this was “the only deal on the table.” She emphasized the significance of reopening the government and initiating discussions for the extension of the crucial tax credits many Americans need to keep healthcare affordable.

Senator Tim Kaine, also a Democratic member from Virginia who sided with the Republicans, acknowledged that Republicans had drawn a firm stance regarding discussions for healthcare policies to occur post-reopening. However, it wasn’t merely the promise of dealing with the subsidies that swayed him; it was the guarantees provided for federal employees that prompted his alignment with the bipartisan effort.

“If you wait another week, they’re going to get hurt more, another month or even more,” he explained, indicating that his decision was largely informed by the pledge to protect federal employees affected by the shutdown.

Next Steps: The House’s Role in Ending the Stalemate

On the House side, indications suggest that Republican leaders are keen to act swiftly to bring the prolonged shutdown to an end. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, informed Fox News Digital earlier on Monday that he would convene the House “immediately” following the Senate’s passage of the legislation.

In a discussion with House Republicans, Johnson projected a vote in their chamber could happen as early as midweek, reiterating the necessity of their attendance. “We’re going to plan on voting, on being here at least by Wednesday,” he confirmed, while noting there may be some adjustments to the timeline as the week progresses.

Furthermore, Johnson clarified that the House would pursue the legislative package in a traditional manner rather than fast-tracking it via suspension of the rules, which would require a two-thirds majority for passage—a pathway complicated by House Democrats’ anticipated opposition to the bill.

On a concluding note, Johnson conveyed that the House Rules Committee should be positioned to act promptly, potentially marshalling a response by Tuesday at the earliest in anticipation of the legislative dynamics surrounding the ongoing negotiations.