There’s no significant movement to reopen the federal government. The shutdown hit its ninth day Thursday.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said their was another vote scheduled on a funding bill at around midday but she wasn’t confident the result would be any different than the other half-dozen or so votes.
Senate Democrats continue to refuse to support a clean continuing resolution. Capito and the Republicans won’t a clean continuing resolution and they say they’ll negotiate with Democrats over the next seven weeks or various issues including continuing the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.
Capito, during an appearance Thursday on MetroNews “Talkline”, said the only movement she’s seen is by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“We saw the truth telling last night when he was quoted as saying, ‘Every day gets better for us’ and he’s talking about his political ambitions,” Capito said. “To me that’s a bad way to hijack and hold hostage our government and those who are affected by it.”
Capito said she’s concerned about an approaching deadline for that could cost military personnel their paychecks. They normally get paid on the 15th of the month.
“I wish we could reach a breakthrough here today and if we don’t do it by Monday they will miss a paycheck,” she said. “We’re hearing from people—obviously they have bills to pay and families to raise.”
Capito also said Thursday the backpay talk from President Donald Trump earlier this week has been resolved.
“He talked about whether federal employees would be paid or not—that issue has been settled,” she said. “We’d like to have the services that come along with our federal workers being paid.”
Capito was asked if Trump should get directly involved in the negotiations. She said it would be a major boost for Republicans but there’s a risk.
“I’m concerned because of the Trump derangement syndrome on the other side I don’t know if that stiffens their spine even more. I think that’s a calculation that the President is trying to make right now,” Capito said.