Some GOP Senators May Vote With Dems on Shutdown

As many as six Republican senators might join with Democrats in voting to reopen the government without wall funding for the short-term, Vox is reporting.

The website said Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lamar Alexander R-Tenn., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska., and Cory Gardner, R-Col., could conceivably vote with the Democrats.

“I have got to say I have never been more frustrated than with this shutdown,” Portman said. “And I’m frustrated for a very simple reason — the solution is right before us. The reasons we’re in this shutdown is because both sides are unwilling to sit down and talk. That makes this shutdown particularly stupid.”

The website noted that a number of Republican senators are running for re-election in 2020 in states that have been trending Democratic.

“I would like to see (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell) bring the House-passed bills to the Senate floor, Collins said on NBC’s "Meet The Press."

“We could reopen much of the government where there’s no dispute over issues involving certain departments like Ag, Transportation, Housing, and Interior. Let's get those reopened while the negotiations continue.

And Gardner said he would back a short-term spending bill without wall funding, Vox noted.

The vote is scheduled for Thursday.

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