Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) revealed Tuesday that cracks are forming inside the Democrat caucus as at least two more Senate Democrats are considering defying Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and voting to fund the government. The shift signals growing frustration within Schumer’s own ranks as the partial government shutdown drags into its second week.
For now, only three Democrats—John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Angus King of Maine—have joined Republicans in pushing to free up federal funds. Every Republican except Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has backed the effort. The House already approved a stopgap bill that would keep the government funded through late November, but Schumer has so far managed to keep the bulk of his party locked in line, blocking the measure from advancing in the Senate.
To actually pass the continuing resolution, at least 60 senators must support the measure. That means eight Democrats will have to cross party lines if Senator Paul continues to hold firm in his opposition—a move he has made clear he intends to maintain.
Despite the stalemate, Thune expressed growing optimism on Tuesday, pointing to fresh momentum on the Senate floor. He believes an agreement is inching closer as more Democrats begin to break ranks with Schumer’s leadership.
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