US Government Shutdown Continues as Senators Failed to Find a Way Out

Senate Democrats in the United States continued to resist an agreement to end the record-long shutdown of federal agencies on Thursday, despite Republican attempts to reverse layoffs and reopen closed agencies.

Democrats held their second caucus closed-door meeting in just two days, on the 37th of the longest shutdown in U.S. History. The government shutdown has resulted in the furloughing of 750,000 federal workers, the forcing of thousands to work for free, and the cutting off of food assistance and Head Start subsides for millions of Americans including children. In the coming days, a new pressure point would be created as major U.S. Airports prepared for a 10% reduction in airline flights because air traffic controllers are not being paid.

After 14 failed votes, the Senate will vote again on a short term funding measure on Friday. However, this time the Senate will do so with the understanding that in the coming days the bill will be amended to include bipartisan legislation reopening federal agencies and funding some programs for the entire year.

John Thune, the South Dakota Senate majority leader, told reporters that he always hopes and expects to see enough Democrats for us to move forward. "We'll see. "They seem to be slowing walking or walking backwards this."

The Republicans have a majority of 53 to 47, but they need 60 votes in order to reopen government. Thune needs at least eight Democrats who are willing to leave their party, as one Republican is opposed to the short-term funding. Only two Democrats, plus an independent member of their caucus, have so far been willing.

Chuck Schumer, the New York Senate Democratic leader, described the meeting of his caucus as "a very productive and good meeting". Other speakers also expressed optimism.

Some Democrats, however, were not so optimistic. "I don’t know how effective it was there," said Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. He is one of three Senate Democrats who voted for a bill that would reopen government on a short term basis.

Republicans offered Democrats a way to reopen the government, which included a stopgap measure for funding and a full-year package of appropriations bills that would pay for agricultural programs, including food assistance, construction projects, veterans affairs, and the legislative branch.

Possible Reversal of Layoffs

In bipartisan discussions, Republicans also showed an openness towards reversing the massive layoffs of federal workers ordered by President Donald Trump’s White House as well as protecting federal jobs against future cuts.

"The discussion started as a healthcare conversation, but in recent days it has also evolved into a discussion of what I have called the moratorium on mischief," Democratic senator Tim Kaine from Virginia told reporters.

Before reopening government, Democrats insist that Republicans negotiate an extension of federal health subsidies. Republicans insist that the government has to reopen before reopening.

"We need to ensure that the deal we reach can be supported by both sides," said Democratic Michigan Senator Gary Peters, who was involved in bipartisan discussions. The deal has been discussed in many ways. "Nothing's really been crystallized."

Uncertainty about the move of a house

Thune offered Democrats a Senate Floor vote as an incentive for reopening government. This would extend federal tax credits expiring that help lower income Americans pay private health insurance. There was no such guarantee in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives .

House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, told reporters: "I am not a part of the negotiations." "I don't promise anything to anyone."

Peters responded, "That is a serious problem."

Democrats have repeatedly urged Trump to start negotiations on healthcare. Republicans, however, say that this should only happen after the government has reopened.

Thom Tillis, a Republican senator, said that the White House would intervene to ensure a vote in the House on ACA tax credit legislation if the Senate passes it.

Tillis of North Carolina said, "That's an important task that the White House should take on." "They can at the very least signal that we will allow voting if all of you get out of here."

Even if Senate Democrats and Republicans were able to reach an agreement to reopen government this week agencies would likely be closed for several days. Before Trump could sign such a measure into law, it would need to be approved by the House.

House Republican leaders have promised to give 48-hour notice to members before they are called back to Washington, and 72-hours to review the legislation before any votes. (Reporting and editing by Scott Malone, Diane Craft and Scott Malone)

(source: Reuters)