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Government shutdown updates: Senate vote marks step towards ending federal shutdown

The bill advanced by a vote of 60-40.

President Donald Trump on Sunday offered a bit more insight into his proposal that Obamacare subsidies should go directly to Americans' Health Savings Accounts to pay for health care rather than sending funds to insurance companies through the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, the Senate voted Sunday night on a test vote that would fund the government through Jan. 31 and end the 40-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Enough Democrats voted to pass the bill.

And the Department of Agriculture in a late Saturday night memo ordered states to reverse any steps they've taken to issue SNAP benefits and threatened to impose financial penalties on states that do not “comply” quickly.


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'A publicity stunt': Democrat confronts Speaker Johnson during newser on House steps

Frustrations are boiling over as a confrontation unfolded between a rank-and-file Democrat and Speaker Mike Johnson on the steps of the House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan began shouting at the speaker as he held his daily news conference.

"I'm asking you a question if you're ready to have a conversation with the other side. You represent all of us. You are the speaker for all of us, sir," Houlahan said. "You have an obligation not to just speak lies at the American people. You have obligation to call the leadership of both parties and bring us together and solve this problem together, Mr. Speaker."

It's unclear whether Speaker Johnson immediately recognized Houlahan as a rival across the aisle, attempting to move on from the disruption and field a question from a credentialed reporter.

"I can't hear you because we have someone who doesn't respect the rights of their colleagues over here," Johnson said before turning his attention to Houlahan. "I'd love to talk with you. Wait, wait, wait, I'd love to talk with you. Come to my office."

Despite the invitation, Houlahan continued to challenge the speaker, until an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police approached her. Houlahan then identified herself as a member of Congress, pulling a necklace from beneath her coat with her member pendant. After the interruption, Houlahan resumed her call for the speaker to bring an end to the shutdown.

After going back-and-forth, Johnson cut off the interruption for good. Returning to his office after the news conference, Johnson called Houlahan's actions "a publicity stunt."


-ABC News' John Parkinson


Schumer says elections prove it's time for Republicans to negotiate

Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer took a victory lap on the Senate floor Wednesday morning following Tuesday night's elections and said the results prove that it's time for Republicans to negotiate with Democrats on ending the shutdown.

"Last night was a great night for America and a five-alarm fire for Donald Trump and Republicans. The Republicans' high-cost house is on fire, and they've only got themselves to blame," Schumer said on the floor. "As loudly and clearly as they could as they could have the American people said last night, enough is enough."

Schumer said he and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries "warned" Trump of the "consequences of ignoring Democrats" when they met with him to discuss the shutdown last month. And he renewed his calls for another meeting.

"It is time to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to bring this Republican shutdown to an end. We told the president we've been asking for a meeting for weeks and even months, but now the election results ought to send a much-needed bolt of lightning to Donald Trump that he should meet with us to end this crisis," Schumer said.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin


Thune: Change to filibuster is 'just not happening'

Returning from the White House after President Donald Trump made yet another call for Senate Republicans to overturn the filibuster, Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated his view that there are not the necessary votes among Republicans to change the rules.

Thune was asked if he believed that Trump could sway some of his reluctant members to support the filibuster.

"I don't doubt that he could have some sway with members," Thune said. "But I know where the math is on this issue in the Senate, and it's not, it's not -- it's just not happening."


-ABC News' Allison Pecorin


Trump says 'it's time' to nuke filibuster -- and not just for the shutdown

President Donald Trump bluntly told Senate Republicans "it's time" to end the filibuster rule not only to end the shutdown but to also pass a slate of his legislative priorities.

"It's time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that's terminate the filibuster. It's the only way you can do it. And if you don't terminate the filibuster, you'll be in bad shape. We won't pass any legislation. There'll be no legislation passed for three and a quarter, three and a quarter years left," Trump said.


Trump said he wants to end the filibuster to pass bills on voter ID, mail-in voting and "all the things we want to pass."

Looking on as Trump spoke was Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who is opposed to changing the traditional rule.