The Senate is heading toward a key test vote Monday at noon on a plan to reopen the government as Republicans try for the second time to break a Democratic filibuster.
Senators are expected to vote on ending debate for a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through Feb. 8. That measure also includes a six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The Monday floor drama comes as the government shutdown is in its third day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) failed to reach a deal over the weekend.
It’s unclear if McConnell will have the 60 votes, including the support of roughly 11 Democrats, he will need to overcome the procedural hurdle.
Both caucuses, as well as a bipartisan group of negotiators, are expected to meet on Monday.
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WH budget chief blasts ‘dysfunction’ among Senate Dems
8:57 a.m.
White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said Democrats’ inability to reach an agreement on a government funding measure is an indication of dysfunction within the party.
“This is something the likes of which Washington has never seen before. This is a bill that Democrats support. Yet they are still not voting for it. They oppose the bill but they don’t really oppose the parts of it,” Mulvaney said on “CBS This Morning.”
“It’s the first time I think anybody can remember seeing this in Washington. Maybe it speaks to how bad the dysfunction is within the Senate Democrats,” Mulvaney added.
Trump: Democrats shut down government to appease ‘far left base’
8:27 a.m.
President Trump early Monday slammed Democrats over the government shutdown, accusing the party of closing the federal government to appease “their far left base.”
“Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “They don’t want to do it but are powerless!”
The president also blasted Democrats over immigration, charging that the lawmakers are withholding services for American citizens to obtain services “for non-citizens.”
“The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good!” Trump said. Sen. Cardin: ‘You can’t operate with continuing resolutions’
8:25 a.m.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) on Monday said Democrats want to open the government, but argued its impractical to continue passing stopgap measures instead of a full budget.
“You got to draw a line at some point. You can’t operate with continuing resolutions. We’ve heard that from the department of defense, we’ve heard that from the other agencies. We could have four weeks kicking the can down the road, it’s not going to help anyone,” Cardin said on CNN’s “New Day.”
Republicans, meanwhile, have pinned the shutdown on Democrats, saying they’re holding government funding hostage over the immigration debate.
Cardin said Democrats want to open the government, but he wants to see Congress pass a full budget.
“Our goal was to make sure we have a budget for our country, a fair budget for our country, that we take up issues that are critically important that we have a pathway to get them resolved. If we can do that I am hopeful we can see an agreement,” Cardin said.
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