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GOP Secures 60 Votes As Bill To Reopen Government Advances

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by Tyler Durden
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Update (2100ET): The GOP bill to reopen the government has received 60 votes, after at least eight Democrats crossed the aisle to support it. 

As noted earlier, this begins the long and drawn-out process of Majority Leader John Thune presenting the original House-passed continuing resolution for a vote, which will then have the minibus and updated CR attached. There will then be two more votes before the package goes back to the House. If they pass it, it will head to President Trump's desk. 

Meanwhile, Bitcoin...

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Update (2005ET): Senate Republicans have secured enough Senate Democrats to back a new plan to reopen the government. 

Details:

  • The core would be a continuing resolution to reopen the government until Jan. 30, 2026 
  • It will reverse the Trump administration's firings of furloughed workers and ensure they receive back pay.
  • A three-bill spending package known as a 'minibus' that would fund military construction, the VA, the legislative branch, agriculture, and the FDA. 
  • Food stamps (SNAP) will be funded through fiscal year 2026.
  • The package does not extend expiring pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies, but Democrats have been promised a vote on it after the government reopens. 

The bipartisan deal was hammered out by Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), while a trio of Democratic caucus members; Sens. Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) provided critical support, Fox News reports. 

Of note, this is essentially what Republicans had offered weeks ago - with Sen. King explaining that the 'length of the shutdown' was the deciding factor.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has made clear over the past few days that he won't put a bill forth for a vote that doesn't have the votes to pass. 

"There’s going to be something to vote on, let’s put it that way," said Thune. 

A vote is expected later Sunday evening - which will begin a long and drawn-out process of Thune presenting the original House-passed continuing resolution for a vote, which will then have the minibus and updated CR attached. There will then be two more votes before the package goes back to the House. If they pass it, it will head to President Trump's desk. 

And of course, Democrats are already bitching.

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With the government shutdown having ground airline travel to a standstill - and Thanksgiving right around the corner, Senate Democrats on Sunday say they're ready to advance a package of bills that could end the impasse, multiple sources have told Axios. 

Chuck Schumer and John Thune (Francis Chung/POLITICO) 

"At least 10 Senate Democrats are expected to support a procedural motion to advance a package of spending bills and a short term funding measure," according to the report. 

What's notable about this offer is that Democrats appear willing to accept a promised vote to extend the temporary pandemic-era Obamacare credits in December. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), meanwhile, said on Sunday that if Democrats cross the aisle to get this done, he will offer another stopgap spending measure with a later expiration date combined with three full-year appropriations bills (aka a 'minibus'). 

If passed, this should hopefully unsnarl air travel in time for Thanksgiving...

While Bitcoin traders appeared to welcome the news:

 

Are we there yet?

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