The Hitchhiker’s Guide to avoiding a government shutdown tonight
The Senate is gearing up for a crucial test vote to break a filibuster on the Republican stopgap spending bill today around 2 p.m. ET. This vote holds the key to avoiding a government shutdown, as failure to break the filibuster could result in a shutdown at 12:00:01 a.m. ET on Saturday. It’s important to note that this test vote is not the final passage of the bill.
Last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his support for the Band-Aid bill, along with Senator John Fetterman. With 60 votes needed to break the filibuster, the fate of the bill hinges on the support of eight Democrats to join the 52 Republican votes.
Senator Rand Paul is the sole GOP member opposing the bill, making it crucial for Democrats like Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, Senators Tim Kaine, John Hickenlooper, Elissa Slotkin, and others to step up and support the measure. Failure to secure these votes would be a major setback for Schumer.
If the filibuster is broken, the Senate will proceed to vote on the actual bill later in the day or evening. However, some Democrats may demand votes on amendments, such as the Democrats’ 28-day temporary spending bill, additional funding for Washington, and restrictions for DOGE, in exchange for their support.
Progressives who oppose the temporary spending bill may also seek time to voice their concerns on the Senate floor. Despite potential roadblocks, there is a growing desire to wrap up proceedings and leave Washington, as the Senate has been in session for 10 consecutive weeks.
The outcome of the test vote will determine the next steps in the legislative process, with the possibility of a government shutdown looming if the filibuster is not broken. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
