Update (1440ET): It appears we may be close to a resolution to reopen the government - as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is reportedly about to make an offer: Extend Obamacare enhanced subsidies for one year in exchange for their votes, according to Punchbowl News' Max Cohen.
"I've spoken with my caucus, and Democrats are offering a very simple compromise," Schumer said during a Friday speech on the Senate floor. "Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health care affordability. Leader Thune just needs to add a clean, one-year extension of the ACA tax credits to the CR so that we can immediately address rising health care costs."
"Now, the ball is in the Republicans' court. We need Republicans to just say yes," he continued.
Schumer is also demanding a bipartisan commission to negotiate the subsidies.
Speaking on the floor, Schumer said the government could reopen "within a few hours" if Republicans accept the Democrat proposal, while Democratic Sen. Gary Peters said that if Republicans accept the offer, "we could open the government today."
"Wouldn't that be fabulous? Show that we can come together," Peters continued, adding "Compromise is a two-way street."
Of note, Republicans already offered this to Democrats in earlier negotiations even though House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the idea.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is keeping lawmakers in a rare Friday session, with votes possibly coming over the weekend to reopen the government.
- Schumer could also make more demands, Axios reports.
- The proposal for the one-year extension has been internally pushed by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).
Markets appear pleased with the development...
Polymarket betters are starting to move...
Developing...
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The Senate will vote for a 15th time today on a short-term funding bill to reopen the government - with a growing number of Republicans indicating that they're open to caving over Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is offering Democrats post-shutdown votes on ACA and tax credits in an attempt to win Democratic support and end the standoff, which is now in its 37th day.
"I'm willing to give Democrats all the things they want," Thune said Friday.
The comments come after Democratic support for a deal to reopen the government has failed over such promises - with Senate dems rejecting a Thursday proposal to pass a continuing resolution to three full-year appropriations bills that would fund military construction, veterans' affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the legislative branch.
Democratic senators discussed the proposal at a party luncheon and concluded that it didn't provide strong enough assurances that Trump and the GOP-controlled house would renew the pandemic-era (short term) ACA subsidies set to expire in January.
Thune needs at least eight Democrats to cross the aisle in order to reopen the government - and is five short of what he needs.
"I trust John Thune, but here’s a fact: It’s beyond his control if we … get an enforceable agreement, because we have to get buy-in from the House of Representatives," said Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), who's been part of talks to end the shutdown, noting that he doesn't trust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to stick to any deals.
Meanwhile, President Trump reiterated his call for Senate R's to end the filibuster.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) says Trump refused to stick to the deal Senate Republicans negotiated during the 2018-2019 shutdown triggered by a fight over the US-Mexico border wall and immigration policy.
"We had a bipartisan negotiation to solve the problem, came up with a bill — Sen. [Susan] Collins [R-Maine] was involved — and, at the very last minute, President Trump pulled out the rug out from under all the negotiators and said, ‘There’ll be no bill,’" Durbin said.
Without Trump's public approval for a deal that would include ACA negotiations, Democrats don't think Thune can deliver 60 Senate votes to keep health insurance premiums where they are.
Thune even acknowledged Thursday that his power is limited.
"I can’t — and I’ve made this very clear to them — I can’t guarantee them an outcome. I can guarantee them a process. They can litigate the issue, get the vote on the floor," he said. "
"Presumably, they have some way of getting a vote in the House at some point, but I can’t speak for the House," he added.
"And obviously, I can’t guarantee an outcome here."
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/thune-willing-give-democrats-all-things-they-want-friday-shutdown-vote-looms
