The Senate is set to vote again on measures to fund the government Monday evening, after a series of votes have fallen short of the 60 votes needed.
On Sept. 19, senators first voted on the dueling measures to fund the government, after the House passed the GOP-led bill that would have extended funding until Nov. 21. The measure fell short, with just one Democrat crossing the aisle. Meanwhile, the Democratic proposal, which would fund the government until Oct. 31 along with extending health insurance tax credits that Democrats have made a top priority, also fell short, with no Republican support.
Then last week, the Senate voted three times on the competing measures. On Tuesday, with hours before the funding deadline, the Republican proposal picked up support from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, and Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who had previously supported the measure, also voted in favor. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has been the sole Republican to oppose it each time.
After Tuesday’s votes, Republicans had been hoping to gain more Democratic support. But on Wednesday, the outcome remained unchanged at 55 to 45.
After taking a break from voting Thursday to observe Yom Kippur, the Senate took up the proposals again Friday. The Republican measure failed to pick up more support from Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters ahead of Friday’s vote that, should it fail, “we’ll give them the weekend to think about it, we’ll come back and we’ll vote again on Monday.” But Democrats have appeared dug in on their position, seeking negotiations on the health care issue. And whether the weekend away does anything to move the needle remains to be seen.
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