Overview
- The shutdown has reached day 31 as food assistance faces an immediate cutoff for roughly 42 million people, with a federal judge on Friday temporarily ordering the administration to continue SNAP benefits.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s stance is unchanged against scrapping the filibuster, and Republicans like Sens. John Curtis, Lisa Murkowski, John Cornyn and James Lankford also oppose the move, though a few such as Tommy Tuberville and Josh Hawley have voiced openness.
- Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, short of the 60 needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster, and after repeated failed votes the Senate adjourned until Monday with the House out next week.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates the shutdown will cost $7 billion to $14 billion, as federal workers miss more paychecks and air travel strains with unpaid air traffic controllers and TSA staff.
- Invoking the “nuclear option” would establish a new precedent allowing simple-majority action to end debate, a tactic previously used in 2013 and 2017 for nominees rather than legislation.