As the government shutdown enters its 37th day, Senate Republicans are preparing a new procedural maneuver for a crucial Friday vote, hoping to lure moderate Democrats into a deal that would include longer-term appropriations and an extension of funding beyond the looming November 21st deadline.
The GOP’s renewed push, confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, involves a vote to advance the House-passed continuing resolution (CR). The plan is to subsequently amend that resolution to incorporate long-term appropriations bills—a step aimed at getting the standard legislative process back on track—and extend overall government funding.
The Health Care Lure
A significant element of the Republican strategy is the promise of a separate Senate vote on extending health care subsidies.
These subsidies, a key demand for Democrats, are set to expire, leading to projected premium spikes for millions of Americans. Republicans are betting that this concession, combined with the appeal of moving past short-term funding measures via the appropriations bills, will be enough to peel off the five moderate Democrats needed to reach the 60-vote threshold.
However, the path remains deeply uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) acknowledged the difficulty, telling reporters, “My hopes and expectations are always that we’re going to have enough Democrats to actually proceed, but I don’t know, we’ll see.”
House Speaker Undermines Senate Deal
The proposed compromise faces a major hurdle in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to commit to holding a vote on the health care subsidies in the lower chamber, even if the Senate passes a bill to hold one.
This position undercuts the entire proposal for some Democrats, who fear a non-binding promise of a Senate vote will ultimately lead nowhere.
Democrats emerged from a private meeting on Thursday without offering any public statement on their path forward, leaving the effectiveness of the GOP’s strategy—and the fate of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history—hanging on a razor-thin margin.
The critical vote is expected on Friday, marking the 15th attempt to clear the 60-vote hurdle that has defied lawmakers for over a month.
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