The
shutdown, err slimdown, could be over by the end of the
day!
Seventeen House Republicans have now indicated that they would support a “clean” continuing resolution, like the one passed by the U.S. Senate, to reopen the government. If they joined with all 200 House Democrats, it is possible that they could give majority support to such a bill without any additional Republicans — if Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) allowed an up-or-down vote.
On Tuesday, a handful of House Republicans from Democratic-leaning and swing districts endorsed the idea of ending the shutdown without the anti-Affordable Care Act poison pills they had all previously voted to include. By Wednesday afternoon, the number had risen to 17, according to a Huffington Post tally.
The Republicans abandoning their party’s line on this include Reps. Devin Nunes (CA); Mike Simpson (ID); Erik Paulsen (MN); Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo and Jon Runyan (NJ); Michael Grimm and Peter King (NY); Lou Barletta, Charlie Dent, Mike Fitzpatrick, Jim Gerlach, and Pat Meehan (PA); and Randy Forbes, Scott Rigell, Rob Wittman, and Frank Wolf (VA).
With 432 current members of the House of Representatives (and three vacancies), it would require 217 votes to pass a clean continuing resolution, like the Senate bill. If all of the House Democrats voted as a block, these 17 Republicans could give majority support for such an effort. In order for such a vote to happen this month, Speaker Boehner would have to agree to let the House majority decide the matter.
