The Senate is set to hold its sixth vote today on competing Democratic and Republican proposals to end the ongoing government shutdown. Lawmakers are under increased pressure to address the issue, particularly as they worry about furloughed worker back pay. The vote is aimed at breaking a filibuster, requiring 60 votes to pass one of the two competing funding bills. While there have been mild, informal bipartisan talks about ending the shutdown, there remains a significant impasse, as highlighted by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who stated that the parties are at an impasse.
President Donald Trump has expressed concerns about the potential of furloughed workers not receiving back pay, although both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., have indicated that workers will likely receive back pay. Johnson has signaled openness to passing a special bill to pay service members and air traffic controllers; however, that would require the House to return to session, which Johnson has vowed to keep open until the Senate Democrats accept the GOP funding package. A senior House GOP leadership source doubts that Johnson would bring the House back before the shutdown ends, adding to the uncertainty.
The deadline to pay the military and air traffic controllers is Oct. 13, and the delay in funding has raised concerns about aviation safety. Lawmakers on both sides are increasingly worried about the potential impact of the shutdown on the country’s aviation sector, which was a key factor that led to the 2018-2019 government shutdown. Additionally, there are concerns about farm payments, which are critical for many acres of farmland in the U.S., as Congress is two years behind on approving a farm bill. This delay compounds the effects of the shutdown, exacerbating the situation for farmers and agricultural producers.
Some Republicans are also showing openness to addressing the Democratic push for ObamaCare subsidies, which is the main holdout for Democrats. Despite spending the past 16 years arguing against ObamaCare, there are now indications that some Republicans are considering advocating for increased subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. This represents a potential shift in the political landscape, signaling that the debate on healthcare policy could evolve as the government shutdown continues and the stakes for both parties rise.
As the Senate prepares for its sixth vote, the outcome of the vote will have significant implications for the future of the government shutdown and the larger political battle over federal spending, worker compensation, and policy initiatives such as farm subsidies and healthcare reform. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further negotiations or a breakdown in talks, depending on the result of the vote and the actions of both the Senate and House of Representatives.