BUDGET/DEMS/GOP/POLITICS: “In a dramatic turnaround, Senate Democrats voted to re-open the government on Monday [1-22-18] after receiving a commitment from Republicans to hold a vote on immigration legislation — paving the way to end the three-day shutdown.
The Senate voted 81-18 to move forward on a bill to fund the government through Feb. 8 after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) agreed to end the shutdown and continue to negotiate on immigration and spending matters. Without a broader deal, the Senate would take up legislation to protect hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants who are losing legal protections, as long as the government remains open…
Democrats had been deeply skeptical of McConnell’s commitment, but indicated after a party strategizing session that they’re willing to trust the majority leader…
Earlier, McConnell had stressed that Senate can’t advance immigration bills until the government was operating again.
A group of Democrats huddled with McConnell on the Senate floor after his remarks and before each party held private meetings that determined the outcome of Monday’s vote…
That commitment ultimately appeared to be enough to persuade enough Democrats on board.”
-Seung Min Kim, Burgess Everett, and Elana Schor, “Senate votes to end shutdown,” Politico, Jan. 22, 2018 01:02pm