Senate Democrats have signaled they will likely block a procedural vote on the defense spending bill, despite Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s efforts to restart funding. The Senate is set to move through a procedural hurdle on the annual defense spending bill to ensure military paychecks, but Democrats are unwilling to support the Republicans’ plan to reopen the government. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the Democrats need clarity on what Republicans plan to put on the floor, and tensions remain high due to past trust issues and differing priorities.
Thune, R-S.D., teed up the bill earlier this week as the shutdown raged on to pressure Senate Democrats to make good on their desire to fund the government in a bipartisan manner, and in the hopes of getting the appropriations process moving again.