Government shutdown talks show movement after 35 days

Let’s start by lowering expectations. There is no agreement or breakthrough to end the government shutdown. To be sure, there is no bipartisan agreement on ObamaCare subsidies.

But the wheels are certainly turning for the first time in more than a month on Capitol Hill toward ending the government shutdown.

Republicans in the Senate are working with some Democrats to amend the spending bill approved by the House of Representatives to finance the government. The new date will likely extend all funding until late January. But this is part of the negotiations now.

This would be a straight spending bill with nothing on health care or additional jobs.

It’s been more than a month since the government shutdown and there’s no end in sight — but expectations are growing exponentially

With the voting matrix of the previous 14 test votes, Republicans would need 5 additional senators caucus with Democrats to vote yes to break the filibuster and get 60 votes. This could come on Thursday or later this week.

But what is the parliamentary elixir that prompts a group of Democrats to vote yes?

Specific date when they will deal with ObamaCare benefits? Agreement on incomplete spending bills?

This is the key. Only this will open the Rubik’s Cube closed.

If approved by the Senate, it would then go back to the House. The House of Representatives is likely to vote for the first time since September 19.

The House of Representatives is then supposed to ally with the Senate.

It could happen this weekend.

Closing that can be seen from the pulpit: moving along the pavilion and praying

Fox was told it was possible that some House Democrats would vote yes, which would go against the hard-line desires of Democratic leadership. Especially if nothing in the legislation is as stringent as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is asking for.

In short, some Senate Democrats could attack House liberals. This is exactly what happened with the lockdown issue in March.

Moreover, Democrats can show little potential – despite their rejection of a shutdown.

Some Democrats could push back — bucking the leadership’s direction if there’s nothing set in the tough legislation as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., demands. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

I cannot begin to stress the level of concern among many Democrats – especially moderates – and some Republicans about the shutdown.

There is grave concern about SNAP benefits, aviation safety, damage to the economy, workers left out of their jobs, and people not getting paid.

Choose your poison.

SNAP, economic damage, aviation safety and more top a growing list of concerns as the shutdown continues. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)

Today was the first real time since the lockdown began that the legislative wheels began to set in motion – in 35 days.

But no one is quite sure how to open this closing box – barring a crisis.

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It’s about mathematics. always. They may not have the right combination yet to solve the puzzle.