Lawmakers budge, ushering in government shutdown's potential 'end of the beginning'
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." – Winston ChurchillIt’s not an agreement....
By Fox News · Fox News
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." – Winston Churchill It’s not an agreement. Just a plan. But the political ice which has frozen lawmakers and closed the government for 37 days is softening. Just barely. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO WHERE WE STAND WITH A POTENTIAL BREAK IN THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN "There seems to be some indication of a thaw," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. Let’s face it: Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are skittish about the shutdown. They’re agonizing about aviation. There’s increasing worry among bipartisan lawmakers about federal workers not getting paid and the cessation of emergency food benefits known as SNAP. Everyone wants a deal. However, no one knows where to find one. Any agreement will be about the math. But lawmakers are locked in this shutdown box and can’t find the combination to escape. That’s why it’s significant there are at least attempts to turn the wheels of Congress to open the government. But that may take a while. That’s why it’s notable that, for the first time since October 1, lawmakers are even attempting to turn the gears of government back on. "I'm optimistic that we should get something done this week," said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. "I think there's a path forward here." Back on Tuesday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., believed the Senate would vote soon. "I think it probably could happen Thursday. It might be pushed until Friday. But more than likely Thursday," said Mullin. But the Oklahoma Republican offered this caveat. "I'm just making assumptions," cautioned Mullin. OVER ONE MONTH INTO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND NO END IN SIGHT – BUT PREDICTIONS RUN RAMPANT This is the government shutdown of 2025. And no one knows anything. Mullin was back on FOX Business on Wednesday, recalibrating what he said a day earlier. "There's been a group working in a very strong bipartisan manner, saying once this election is over, we're going to r…