Senate Republicans are hoping that a newly unveiled package of spending bills could be the key to reopen the government. Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to put the bill, and Democrats' resolve, to the test. (Pete Kiehart/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Senate Republicans view the package as a sweetener that they hope attracts enough Senate Democrats to break through the logjam and move toward reopening the government. And given that the minibus is a largely bipartisan product, lawmakers believe it could succeed.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., made clear in the last few days that he would not put a bill on the floor that did not have the votes to pass after spending several weeks daring Senate Democrats to vote against the original House-passed continuing resolution (CR).
DEMS BLOCK GOP BILL ENSURING FEDERAL WORKER, MILITARY PAYCHECKS CONTINUE DURING SHUTDOWN
President Donald Trump waits for the arrival of Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at the White House on October 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Lawmakers will now have time to read over the bills, with a vote expected later Sunday evening.
But, it’s just the first step in what could be a long and drawn-out process. First, Thune will tee up the original House-passed CR for a vote, which lawmakers view as the vehicle to attach the minibus and updated CR to.
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Then there will be two more votes before the package advances from the Senate. Then, it will have to go back to the House before making its way to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Schumer and his caucus could still apply pain on the process, too, through procedural hurdles. And despite rumblings of some in the caucus ready to break ranks, some Republicans aren’t too optimistic that this will be an easy process.
"I don't expect anything from the Democrats," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said. "At this point, their demands have been so ridiculous, I don't know what they're going to do, and at this point, I frankly, don't give a crap."
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-unveil-key-piece-shutdown-puzzle-bid-reopen-government