BUDGET/POLITICS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Senate voted to advance a bill that would reopen the federal government after a brief shutdown, as Democrats agreed to a short-term pause in their standoff with Republicans over immigration policy.
The vote was 81-18, easily passing the needed 60-vote threshold. Two Republicans joined 15 Democrats and one independent in opposing the measure.
Once the Senate passes the final bill with a simple majority, which is expected later today, the House is expected to follow up quickly and pass the same legislation. President Donald Trump would then sign the deal into law, ending a three-day shutdown that started Saturday.
The bill would keep the government funded through Feb. 8.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said Monday that he had reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) to end the impasse. Mr. Schumer said he and Mr. McConnell have “come to an arrangement” in which Democrats would provide enough votes to advance legislation funding the government for three weeks, in exchange for an assurance that the Senate would consider immigration legislation in early February, if the issue has not already been resolved.”
-Siobhan Hughes, “Senate Leaders Reach Deal to Reopen Government After a Brief Shutdown,” The Wall Street Journal online, Jan. 22, 2018 01:09pm