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Senate in a Holding Pattern on Government Funding

After tweeting that a partial government shutdown "will last for a very long time," the president met with Senate Republican leadership this morning to discuss a path forward to avert a lapse in appropriations that would otherwise begin tonight.  After that meeting, Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) introduced a procedural motion in order to act on the House-passed bill that would keep the government open through Feb. 8 and includes the president’s requested $5 billion for a border wall. The procedural vote is ongoing.


The Majority Leader also confirmed this morning via tweet that he has no plans to override current law and long-standing Senate tradition and rules that require 60 votes for most legislation to be considered by the chamber.  

The Senate cannot advance yesterday’s House-passed CR that would keep the above agencies operating at current funding levels through Friday, Feb. 8 with the president’s requested $5 billion for border wall procurement and construction added.  It is not yet clear what further actions the Senate may take.  Read the complete story and get shutdown resources