Pirate's Cove

As they say, the devil is in the details, and the votes

Senate Democrats, Republicans reach deal to reopen government

A source familiar with the newly-unveiled plan told Fox News Digital that there are enough Senate Democrats ready to join Republicans for a key vote Sunday night as Congress readies to reopen the government.

The latest development comes after an updated continuing resolution was revealed that would reopen the government until Jan. 30, 2026, reverse firings of furloughed workers carried out by the Trump administration and ensure that furloughed workers get back pay.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, led the bipartisan deal, but a trio of Democratic caucus members, Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., proved crucial in striking a way forward.

Lawmakers are expected to take the first of a trio of votes on reopening the government later Sunday night. But it will require action from the House before the closure is officially ended.

While both sides still appear at an impasse on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies, appropriators moved ahead with a package of spending bills that Republicans hope will jumpstart the government funding process, and lead to an end to the 40-day government shutdown.

The Senate Appropriations Committee released the three-bill spending package, known as a minibus, Sunday afternoon. Lawmakers are still waiting on text for an updated continuing resolution (CR), that, if passed, is expected to reopen the government until late January.

So, no Obamacare subsidies, but, it would restart SNAP (which really should be funded by states, not Los Federales, as there is nothing in the Constitution giving this program authorization). And get air traffic control back on the job, ahead of Thanksgiving

Schumer and his caucus could still apply pain on the process, too, through procedural hurdles. And despite rumblings of some in the caucus ready to break ranks, some Republicans aren’t too optimistic that this will be an easy process.

“I don’t expect anything from the Democrats,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said. “At this point, their demands have been so ridiculous, I don’t know what they’re going to do, and at this point, I frankly, don’t give a crap.”

I’m sure the crazies who will refuse to vote to end the filibuster will offer up lots of crazy addendums.

(CNN) At least eight Senate Democrats have agreed to vote for the deal, which was brokered Sunday night between three former governors — Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Angus King of Maine and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire — along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House.

One of those Democrats is Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who represents thousands of federal workers in the state and who said he supports the GOP’s promise for a future vote on the subsidies.

“Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said of GOP senators who choose not to support extending the subsidies.

Hey, maybe that whole Obamacare thingy isn’t working well, eh?

But some liberal senators have fiercely opposed the plan, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

“For me, it’s no deal without health care,” Blumenthal said, voicing a widespread sentiment in the Democratic caucus. “So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, and so I’ll be a no.”

Even some centrist-leaning Democrats, like Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, were voicing concerns with the idea on Sunday night.

Well, it’s only going to take 8 to break the filibuster. Which way now, Dems? Maybe by the time this posts at 645am there will be votes.