Government shutdown live updates as Senate talks continue over ending stalemate

Senators on Capitol Hill continued to express cautious optimism about the status of discussions to end the shutdown on Thursday.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, told reporters he was “seeing some movement,” noting that “there’s a lot of negotiation going on between members right now.”

“I’ve seen more discussion. Some of the Democrats I’ve talked to are exasperated themselves and don’t see any real benefit, politically or otherwise,” Cramer said. “And I think they’re ready, maybe after next week’s election, to vote yes.”

Cramer argued that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer organized Democrats against the House-passed measure to reopen the government because “his left flank scares him.”

“But I think their usual flank is starting to exert a little bit of its influence, and it’s time for them to push the easy button and open up government, start negotiating these other things that they care about,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said discussions were underway that “could become more serious because the shutdown imposes larger and larger losses.” But he added that the negotiations “will achieve nothing if the Republicans remain completely intransigent and resistant to any compromise on the extension of health coverage.”

Blumenthal said he hoped the president’s return to Washington would end the shutdown. “There is an easy, easy path to reopening the government if Donald Trump shows some leadership,” he said.

“This shutdown could end as soon as he lands, if he just gives a thumbs up as he comes down the ramp,” the Connecticut Democrat said.

Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, said he had conversations with Republican and Democratic colleagues, noting that the takeaway was: “let’s get the president in a room, let’s get him to focus on this topic for over an hour.”

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a GOP supporter, reiterated that “once they open up the government, a lot of other negotiations can go on.” He said there are ways to give Democrats a path forward, including “going right back to the appropriations process.” But regarding the timing of a resolution, Rounds said he believes Democrats are “waiting for a particular day where they release certain people” to support the government reopening measure.

Grace Kazarian and Kaia Hubbard