Senate Democrats are scheduled to convene for lunch today to deliberate on their approach regarding the House-passed funding bill. Many senators are still torn on whether to support the measure that would keep the government funded until September 30, or to face the possibility of a shutdown beginning Saturday.
“We’re never completely convinced the House will take action until they actually do, so we’re meeting tomorrow to evaluate our options,” remarked Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., last night.
Murphy expressed his support for a “clean” 30-day bill “to continue negotiations,” but labeled the current proposal as “a Republican budget.”
While some Democrats are pushing for a vote against the legislation, several others, including Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who simply stated “Stay tuned,” and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who mentioned she is “undecided,” are hesitant to disclose their voting intentions.
For the legislation to progress in the Senate, it requires 60 votes, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has announced his opposition. This indicates that eight Democrats would need to back the bill if all remaining 52 Republicans are in favor.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has confirmed her support for the bill.
“I simply don’t want us to experience the costs and challenges brought about by a government shutdown. Therefore, I will be voting ‘yes’,” she stated.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., asserted that the bill “shouldn’t fail.”
“I believe we have a good opportunity now that the House has passed it, provided the Democrats will work with us to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year and prevent a shutdown,” Thune commented to reporters. “To me, it’s a fairly straightforward issue.”
