Thune Plans Shutdown Test Vote as Democrats Lean Toward Deal

Senate Republican leader John Thune has stated that a deal to end the 40-day government shutdown is "coming together." Thune plans to hold a test vote on Sunday on a narrow spending package that could potentially resolve the shutdown. The shutdown, which began on December 22nd, has been a prolonged impasse between the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democrat-controlled House over President Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. While details of the proposed deal remain unclear, Thune's comments suggest that Democrats may be leaning towards a compromise. The test vote on Sunday will provide an indication of the level of support for the potential agreement among both parties in the Senate. The resolution of the shutdown, which has affected a significant portion of the federal government, remains a critical priority for lawmakers as they seek to find a bipartisan solution and restore normal government operations.