Senate Republicans are attempting a new approach to pressure Democrats into collaborating on full-year appropriations bills, as the ongoing government shutdown remains unresolved. Majority Leader John Thune is pushing a procedural vote on the House-passed Defense spending bill, hoping to demonstrate bipartisan cooperation. While some Republicans see this as an opportunity to build trust, others suspect Democratic resistance could be used to label them as obstructionists. The situation complicates Senate Democrats, who must balance supporting bipartisan legislation with maintaining their stance on health care and spending issues.
Collins, the Appropriations Chair, suggested that smoother progress in the regular appropriations process might encourage Democratic cooperation. However, Hoeven, who leads the agriculture subcommittee, viewed the initiative as a chance for Republicans to test Democratic intentions. If Democrats refuse to cooperate, Republicans may cast them as obstructionists, while agreement could be interpreted as undermining their shutdown stance.
Democratic appropriators face a dilemma: They may be tempted to support bipartisan legislation they traditionally back, but doing so risks softening their push for GOP commitments on extending Obamacare subsidies and spending federal funds as appropriated. Murray, the Senate Appropriations Vice Chair, emphasized that only leadership-level negotiations on a broader range of outstanding issues, including health care, could resolve the deadlock and end the shutdown.
Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, suggested that even if the shutdown continues, it would be wise to make progress on the full-year bills. He expressed optimism that leveraging their time effectively could help address the ongoing stalemate. Meanwhile, the shutdown situation also has broader implications, as it extends to other legislative matters such as potential Russia sanctions and a planned meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
The ongoing discussions highlight the broader political landscape, as both parties try to navigate the complex negotiations and potential for compromise amidst the shutdown. The situation remains tense, with the potential for significant consequences on the legislative agenda and the overall stability of government operations.