Overview
- Senators reconvened Sunday with Majority Leader John Thune saying negotiators are close and pledging to keep the chamber in session until the government reopens.
- Republican leaders have rejected including an ACA subsidy extension in the immediate reopening bill, while Democrats insist the extension be part of any agreement now.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is advancing a bipartisan plan to fund priority programs and extend stopgap funding into December or January in exchange for a future vote on ACA subsidies.
- President Donald Trump proposed sending ACA premium support directly to individuals and urged ending the Senate filibuster, positions that Democratic leaders oppose and key Republicans have resisted.
- The prolonged shutdown has disrupted flights, put food assistance at risk, and left many federal employees unpaid since October 1.