Hopes fade for quick end to shutdown as Trump readies layoffs and cuts

"Although Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress, the Senate's filibuster rules make it necessary for the government funding legislation to gain support from at least 60 of the 100 senators. That's given Democrats a rare opportunity to use their 47 Senate seats to hold out in exchange for policy concessions. The party has chosen to rally on the issue of health care, believing it could be key to their path back to power in Washington."

"Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown were fading Friday as Republicans and Democrats dug in for a prolonged fight and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government. Senators were headed back to the Capitol for another vote on government funding on the third day of the shutdown, but there has been no sign of any real progress toward ending their standoff."

"Democrats are demanding that Congress extend health care benefits, while Republicans are trying to wear them down with day after day of voting on a House-passed bill that would reopen the government temporarily, mostly at current spending levels. Until they have eight or hopefully more 10 or more people who want to, decide they want to end the government shutdown, I'm not sure this goes anywhere, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday."

A government shutdown entered its third day with no progress as senators returned for another funding vote. President Donald Trump prepared plans for layoffs and spending cuts across the federal government. Democrats demanded extension of health-care benefits and sought to extend pandemic-era Affordable Care Act marketplace tax credits. Republicans held repeated votes on a House-passed short-term funding bill at mostly current spending levels to pressure Democrats. Senate filibuster rules require 60 votes, giving Democrats leverage with 47 seats to seek concessions. Democratic leaders warned that failure to extend the tax credits would sharply raise premiums and out-of-pocket costs for millions.

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