The Senate Leaves Town

Punchbowl News: “The Senate is gone for the weekend, all but guaranteeing that the government shutdown will become the longest in U.S. history.”

“SNAP funding runs out on Saturday. There have been ground delays all afternoon at Reagan National Airport due to air traffic control tower staffing shortages — ironically, as senators were dashing to catch flights.”

“Yet there were key meetings on Thursday, and some senators from both parties are talking up the chances of a bipartisan deal to end the shutdown. But to be clear, we’re a long way away from that happening at this point.”