Schumer, Jeffries reach out to Donald Trump as shutdown grinds on

The top Democrats’ entreaty came ahead of the president’s weeklong Asia journey. The top congressional Democrats contacted President Donald Trump on Tuesday to request a meeting as the shutdown drags into a fourth week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in comments to reporters after a closed-door caucus lunch that he and House Minority Leader … Read more

The shutdown is proving to be ‘gang’-proof

Informal bipartisan talks are nowhere close to ending the second-longest government closure in U.S. history. When Washington first woke up to a government shutdown earlier this month, there was one hope for a quick exit: A bipartisan clutch of rank-and-file senators were at least talking. There was reason for optimism. Past groups had evolved into … Read more

Thune meets with GOP senators on post-shutdown path

The group discussed health care ideas, including expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune met with a group of GOP senators on Wednesday as Republicans quietly discuss possible paths forward on health care once the government reopens. The group met to talk about ideas including what to do about soon-to-expire Affordable Care … Read more

The shutdown cliff that could hit Democrats hard

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps feed more than 40 million people, will start to run out of funds Nov. 1. Missed paychecks, canceled infrastructure projects and mass firings haven’t yet convinced congressional Democrats to change their government shutdown stance. But they are now facing down another pressure point threatening a program they’ve long … Read more

Cruz introduces bill to pay air traffic controllers during shutdown

The legislation would also do the same for TSA baggage screeners. Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has introduced a bill that would ensure air traffic controllers get paid during the ongoing government shutdown. S. 3031, whose text POLITICO obtained, is co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). … Read more