End of shutdown in sight? Movement in the US budget dispute

Budget dispute

End of shutdown in sight? Movement in the US budget dispute

It’s a small step, but an important one: Enough Democrats appear to have joined the Republican majority in the Senate to advance debate on the budget.

There is obviously movement in the dispute over the adoption of a budget in the USA, which has been deadlocked for weeks. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate were able to agree on key points of a compromise, according to Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and consistent US media reports.

According to the media, the procedural vote on the compromise will take place on Sunday evening (local time). Although that would be a political breakthrough, it would still not mean an end to the partial shutdown of government operations in the USA that has been ongoing for almost six weeks.

The Republicans have a narrow majority with 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate. However, at least 60 votes must be achieved in the parliamentary chamber for the procedural vote. According to US media, enough Democrats have shown themselves willing to support the compromise.

Kaine explained on Platform In addition, it should be ensured that federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown are rehired and outstanding salaries are subsequently paid out.

Because Democrats and Republicans in Congress cannot agree on a budget, regular government operations have been largely paralyzed since the beginning of October. The Senate still has to agree on a corresponding package. The draft would then have to be approved again by the other chamber of parliament, the House of Representatives. Depending on how great the resistance is in both parties, this process could drag on for days.