Summary
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is thinking about bringing specific funding bills, like one for the Defense Department, to a vote as a way to reopen the government. Bipartisan talks for a temporary solution are stuck, so this piecemeal approach is another option. This strategy would require support from both parties to succeed.
Key Facts
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune is considering voting on individual funding bills, such as one for the Pentagon.
- Current talks to reopen the government with a short-term bill are not progressing.
- Bringing single bills to the floor is complicated but could be a way to reopen parts of the government.
- Many Republicans support the idea of passing finished bills to reopen the government.
- Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins supports moving forward with this strategy.
- There is concern about whether troops will get paid, as passing a full defense bill soon is unlikely.
- Democrats would need to decide whether to support funding for military pay separately from other bills.
- Speaker Mike Johnson has not recalled House members to vote specifically on a military pay bill.
