A wall of unanimous opposition began to crumble this week when three Democrats in the U.S. Senate broke with their party to support a Republican-backed plan to reopen the federal government.
The shutdown, now in its seventh day, is approaching the first missed paychecks for the federal workforce, increasing pressure on both parties to reach a solution before tens or hundreds of thousands of furloughed employees can no longer pay their bills. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), as recently as Monday, urged his colleagues to “fight” for Obamacare subsidies that Republicans are seeking to debate in a standalone package.
Gridlock has prevented Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) from securing the 60 votes needed to pass a short-term government funding bill, but signs of concession emerged on Tuesday with news that Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Angus King (I-ME) signed on to Republicans’ plan for a clean spending plan, Politico reported.
Multiple rounds of voting have resulted in a 55-45 finish, putting Thune still five votes shy of his goal.
Fetterman has been supportive of the GOP plan since a first vote was held on Sept. 19.
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