Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) plans to force Democrats to again vote down a deal on Friday to end the government shutdown, he told his conference.
Why it matters: Optimism around a fast deal has evaporated. Senate Democrats believe there aren't enough votes to advance the funding package on Friday and are committed to dragging the fight into next week, multiple sources told Axios.
- They're emboldened after sweeping election victories this week, and after President Trump said Americans are blaming Republicans for the shutdown more than Democrats.
What to watch: Senate appropriators are hustling to finish language on a three-part appropriations package, with text expected to be released as soon as Thursday evening, sources tell Axios.
It's a key part of Republicans' latest offer to Democrats, which includes:
- Passing a stopgap funding continuing resolution until at least December 19th (final date TBD).
- Fully funding military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Agriculture Department and the legislative branch through the next fiscal year — taking programs like WIC and SNAP out of the shutdown equation.
- A promise of a vote on some kind of bill to extend the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies — the exact substance of which is still a major question mark.
Between the lines: Democrats remain unpersuaded, with a bloc of the caucus actively encouraging their colleagues to hold out even longer.
- They want Republican leaders to commit to passing an extension of ACA subsidies and assurances from Trump that he will approve it.
- Thune has repeatedly said he can not guarantee outcomes. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) only caused more concern by refusing on Thursday to guarantee even a vote on an ACA package in the House.
- "I'm not promising anybody anything. I'm going to let this process play out," he said at a press conference.
The other side: Bipartisan negotiators were making progress on negotiations over the last two weeks, and it's clear moderates are feeling the drain over the prolonged shutdown.
- Missed paychecks, the loss of SNAP benefits and reductions in airport operations are all pulling lawmakers toward a deal to end the stalemate.
