Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Monday he is “optimistic” a deal to end the more than four-week shutdown could be reached by the end of this week.
Both Democrats and Republicans are looking for an off-ramp as the government’s closure inches toward the longest in U.S. history. A group of moderate Senate Democrats have even been quietly gathering to plot how to possibly reopen the federal government.
Earlier Monday, the Trump administration said it will partially provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this month, after the program lapsed Saturday due to the shutdown.
A judge ordered Friday that the Trump administration must use about $5.25 billion in emergency funds to release benefits for more than 40 million people.
Still, this not enough to fully cover November benefits, which are expected to cost more than $9 billion. Administration officials indicated to the judge Monday that they will not use federal dollars to fill the gap.
Later Monday, President Trump will join virtual rallies in support of Republican candidates in Virginia and New Jersey ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.
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Source: The Hill