BREAKING NEWS: The Senate reached a deal on to end the shutdown and voted 81-18 to approve the bill. Sen. McConnell said he would open debate on immigration in the coming weeks. The funding for opening the government runs through February 8 and also includes CHIP funding for children’s health insurance. The bill now goes back to the House for approval this afternoon.
Earlier today:
A government shutdown that started at midnight Friday will go into its third day on Monday, with a vote rescheduled to noon.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had scheduled a vote for 1 a.m. Monday but that changed.
The Senate adjourned late Sunday night without taking a vote and without reaching an agreement to end the shutdown. The bill up for vote would extend funding for three weeks to re-open the government.
To undo the shutdown requires a vote of 60 in the Senate. Republicans control 51 seats. Four Republicans voted against the bill on Friday.
Sen. McConnell
A group of moderates on both sides has been meeting to try to find a compromise. Democrats want assurances on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
McConnell released a statement that said:
“Bipartisan negotiations that have been going on for months now to resolve our unfinished business — military spending; disaster relief; healthcare; immigration and border security — will continue. It would be my intention to resolve these issues as quickly as possible so that we can move on to other business that is important to our country.
“However should these issues not be resolved by the time the funding bill before us expires on February 8, assuming that the government remains open, it would be my intention to proceed to legislation that would address DACA, border security, and related issues. It is also my intention to take up legislation regarding increased defense funding, disaster relief, and other important matters.
“Importantly, when I proceed to the immigration debate, it will have an amendment process that is fair to all sides. I would hope there would be cooperation on these matters in advance of yet another funding deadline. There is a bipartisan, bicameral group that will continue its negotiations and I look forward to the completion of their work. It would be my strong preference for the Senate to consider a bipartisan, bicameral proposal that can be signed into law.
“But the first step in any of this is re-opening the government and preventing any further delay. The shutdown should stop today. And we’ll soon have a vote that will allow us to do that.”
The U.S. Postal Service will not be closed due to the government shutdown.
Staff report
