Top Senate negotiators have yet to agree to a deal on a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government open. But both Democratic and GOP leaders believe the issue will be resolved today, just one day before the end of the fiscal year.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has formally filed cloture on the continuing resolution to fund federal agencies through Dec. 16. That normally means a cloture vote – ie can we start debate on the bill or not - on Friday.
But Schumer’s move is really designed to keep up the pressure on Republicans to continue negotiating. Some GOP senators are seeking amendment votes, although this hasn’t been agreed to yet.
Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are still trying to work to set a time for the CR vote. It’s in both McConnell and Schumer’s interest to schedule a quick vote on the funding bill so lawmakers can get back home to campaign. Schumer has threatened to bring senators back into session in October, although there’s doubt in both parties that he will actually do so.