Now in its 38th day, the shutdown is almost certain to extend into next week, with the Senate set to vote for a 15th time on the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) today, which will fail, and then recess until Monday. While bipartisan talks between rank-and-file senators continued this week, President Trump called on Senate Republicans to invoke the “nuclear option” to scrap the filibuster and end the government shutdown.
As he has before, President Trump urged Republicans, who hold 53 seats in the Senate, to dump the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to get legislation to the floor. Eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) without Democratic support and reopen the government. Many lawmakers have long opposed eliminating the 60-vote threshold, arguing that it encourages bipartisan compromise.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy this week said air travel will be curtailed by four percent starting today, ramping up one percent each day until 10 percent total. Airlines have consequently canceled hundreds of flights as of today.
Senate Democrats continue to demand that Republicans support funding for enhanced health insurance subsidies in exchange for voting for legislation to end the impasse.
