House Anticipates Vote to End Government Shutdown
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is gearing up for a potential House vote that could pave the way to ending the ongoing government shutdown, with expectations set for as early as Wednesday, according to sources from Fox News Digital.
Urgent Call to Action
During a private call held on Monday morning, House GOP leaders urged their fellow Republicans to return to Washington at the earliest opportunity. The expectation is that there will be a condensed voting schedule before a full session kicks off on November 17. “We’re planning on voting, on being here, at least by Wednesday,” Johnson informed lawmakers. “While some things could shift later in the week, we believe we are currently on track,” he added, emphasizing the necessity for lawmakers to be present.
Initially, Johnson indicated that the earliest possible vote could occur on Wednesday morning. However, he later revised his timeline to suggest it might take place in the afternoon or evening due to conflicting schedules among several Republican members.
Scheduling Conflicts and Legislative Strategy
It appears that some lawmakers will need to rearrange their plans to attend events commemorating Veterans Day on Tuesday. One Republican noted that they would take an early flight back to D.C. on Wednesday morning following a significant event with military veterans the day before.
Johnson has also indicated that the House would not be fast-tracking this legislation through the suspension of rules, which would have allowed lawmakers to bypass certain procedural hurdles at the expense of raising the necessary passage threshold to two-thirds of the chamber.
Legislative Process and Challenges Ahead
The House Rules Committee is expected to evaluate the legislation as early as Tuesday. This move does not come as a total surprise given the staunch opposition from House Democratic leaders. Several House Democrats have voiced their intentions to vote against the proposal due to its lack of commitments concerning the extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of this year.
If the political gears turn smoothly, the House could send a bill to President Donald Trump aimed at ending the government shutdown by Wednesday evening. However, the prospects of this timeline hinge significantly on developments within the Senate, which recently saw eight Democratic senators join Republicans in breaking a filibuster as the shutdown reached its 40th day.
Senate Dynamics: Votes and Procedural Hurdles
Despite this progress, there remain several critical votes and potential procedural challenges that could impede the Senate’s momentum. If all senators agree to expedite the process, there is a possibility that the package could advance as soon as Monday night. Conversely, if consensus is not reached, the bipartisan proposal may languish in the upper chamber for several more days.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed cautious optimism about the Senate’s ability to finalize its work by Monday evening, contingent on the cooperation of Senate Democrats. “Obviously, there are objections from the left, but as long as the votes are there to proceed, we will move forward, hopefully without a lot of disruption or delay,” Thune stated. “The point is, we are positioned to get the government reopened, and it is in our best interest to accomplish this expeditiously.”
Democratic Response and Strategic Cohesion
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer did not clarify whether Democrats would oppose any efforts to expedite the legislative process, although he attributed the ongoing shutdown, now in its 41st day, to President Trump and Republican leaders. The overall alignment of Senate Democrats on a cohesive strategy to either support or obstruct the proposed measures remains uncertain. Nonetheless, Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., informed Fox News Digital that he “didn’t hear anything” about potential objections or blocks during the Democratic caucus’ closed-door meeting on Sunday night.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Week Ahead
As the week unfolds, both the House and Senate face critical moments in their attempts to navigate the complexities of ending the government shutdown. With proposed votes expected imminently and various factions within both parties vying for their respective interests, the path to a resolution remains fraught with uncertainties. The coming days will be essential in determining whether Congress can effectively collaborate to avert a prolonged stalemate and reopen the government.
