Senate feeling good about avoiding pre-election shutdown

Axios reports the Senate is quietly optimistic about avoiding a third government shutdown this year. Both Democrats and Republicans want to keep a funding lapse from overshadowing the campaign's final stretch — nobody wants the election decided under a funding cloud. But agreement isn't locked: House Republicans are frustrated with Senate Majority Leader Thune's plan to delay reconciliation until government funding is settled, and escalating tensions with Iran are complicating defense-spending negotiations. Thune has suggested he's prepared to fund the government unilaterally through reconciliation if bipartisan talks stall, but senators appear hopeful that threat won't need to be tested.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton