A handful of Senate Democrats on Sunday indicated they are ready to advance a package of bills that could end the government shutdown, multiple sources told Axios.
Why it matters: It is the most significant movement toward a bipartisan breakthrough in the talks to reopen the government in over a month.
- At least 10 Senate Democrats are poised to support a procedural motion to advance a package of spending bills and a short-term funding measure through the end of January, multiple sources from both parties told Axios.
- The deal includes a December vote on a Democratic proposal to extend ACA tax credits for one year, multiple sources said. It would take 60 votes to pass.
- It also includes language aimed at providing assistance to federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown, as well as a provision to fund SNAP benefits through Sept. 30.
While no deal is final until lawmakers have voted, the agreement could end weeks of deadlock in the Senate.
- And the White House is on board.
- "The President and the White House have maintained since day one that we want the government open. This appears to be a good way to accomplish that goal," a senior White House official said.
The big picture: Senators are in Washington for a rare weekend session, and are on track to vote Sunday on a procedural motion on a government funding package.
- Lawmakers have been asked to return to Washington on Sunday if they left town.
- And the long-awaited text of the three appropriations bills that lawmakers hope to include in the deal was released Sunday afternoon.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
