The Senate will reconvene at noon, according to a notice from Majority Whip John Barrasso’s (R-Wyoming) office, but no time is currently set for the vote on the House-passed CR to reopen the government. The notice said only that “roll call votes are expected during Friday’s session of the Senate.” Democratic support for a potential deal has potentially crumbled because of deep mistrust among Senate Democrats over whether President Donald Trump will act in good faith to extend health insurance subsidies or to stop firing federal workers. Senate Democrats rejected an emerging proposal Thursday to reopen the government that would have linked a stopgap funding bill known as a continuing resolution to three full-year appropriations bills funding military construction and veterans’ affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the legislative branch. Democratic senators discussed the proposal at lunch and concluded it did not include strong enough assurances that President Trump and the Republican-controlled House would renew enhanced health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that are due to expire in January. Republicans are also discussing whether a final deal can involve rehiring thousands of federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown — a new element. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) needs at least eight Democratic votes to reopen the government, which has now been shut for 37 days.
Republican leaders were noncommittal Thursday night on whether the Senate would stay in Washington through the weekend, return next week, or go into a previously scheduled weeklong Veteran’s Day recess.
