The US Senate is set to vote on Thursday (October 16), for the 10th time on a House Republicans’ short-term government funding bill. The measure will need 60 votes to advance. Later in the day, the Senate will also consider a procedural motion related to the Defense Department appropriations bill. This motion, also requiring 60 votes, could begin the process of fully funding the military.
The outcome of these votes will be closely watched as a gauge of Democratic willingness to block even routine spending bills in protest over Affordable Care Act subsidy negotiations.
Government shutdown likely to continue
With the Senate expected to adjourn for the weekend following the votes, the government shutdown is likely to continue until Monday.
The chamber previously failed to advance the funding bill until November 21 by a vote of 51-44 on Wednesday, marking the ninth failed attempt.
Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote against the bill, while Democratic Sensators Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, and Independent Angus King voted in favor, highlighting a growing divide within the chamber.
Democratic demands and Republican response
Democrats are demanding that any deal to reopen the federal government include healthcare provisions. Specifically, they seek an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and the reversal of Medicaid cuts included in the Trump administration’s recent tax and spending legislation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has predicted the shutdown could become the longest in US history, stating that he “will not negotiate” with Democrats until they pause their demands and reopen the government.
Federal worker layoffs halted by court
A federal judge on October 15 blocked the Trump administration from laying off approximately 4,000 federal workers. Before the ruling, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projected layoffs could exceed 10,000.
US District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco expressed concerns that the firings were politically motivated and carried out without proper planning or human resources support, noting the “human cost” of such actions. She issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the administration from implementing the layoffs.
