Senate Approaching ‘Three-Legged Deal’ To Reopen Government
With the federal government shutdown now stretching into its 35th day, negotiators on Capitol Hill are quietly assembling the outline of a possible deal — though lawmakers on both sides acknowledge there’s no guarantee an agreement will be reached.
According to Axios, the framework under discussion resembles a “three-legged” package:
- A Senate vote on Affordable Care Act tax credits — the key demand from Democrats.
- A short-term continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily restore federal funding.
- A separate funding vote to cover military construction, the legislative branch, and agriculture programs while broader negotiations continue.
“I think we’re getting close to an off-ramp here,”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told the outlet.
Even Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) conceded that congressional leaders “seem more optimistic” about a possible breakthrough.
Before Senate Democrats forced the shutdown, the Republican-led House had already passed a funding bill extending government operations through November 21. If the Senate now cuts a deal, the House will be required to reconvene and approve it — meaning the funding deadline could shift.
That timing fight is shaping up to be the central obstacle.
Democrats want a short CR, setting up another negotiation quickly — a tactic Republicans say is designed to force another crisis moment to push through spending increases later.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he wants the next funding deadline pushed to January, well after the holiday season:
“I am not a fan of extending it to December, because, let’s be frank, a lot of people around here have PTSD about Christmas omnibus spending bills... We’re not doing that.”
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Chair of House Appropriations, echoed that warning — saying Congress has no interest in being cornered by another last-minute, all-at-once spending package:
“They don’t let you go home to your family until you pass a god-awful omnibus bill. We don’t want to do that to our members.”
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats voted for the 14th time to keep the government closed, blocking the GOP-backed funding measure that would reopen federal agencies.
Thune told reporters he believes momentum is building — but pressure is mounting on all sides:
“I hope close,” he said. “There are people who realize this has gone on long enough and there’s been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it’s time to end it.”
Thune added that Republicans have made clear what they are willing to support when it comes to:
- Appropriations
- Funding levels
- And possible adjustments to Obamacare
But the final vote math remains uncertain.