“Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, celebrated for her narrow victory three years ago that secured Democrats’ control of the Senate, is now being cast as a traitor by members of her own party,” Politico reports.

“She is one of three senators who broke ranks this week, voting with Republicans on the spending bill and robbing Democrats of a united front. Independent Angus King and maverick Democrat John Fetterman joined her in backing the GOP funding measure to keep the government open. But Cortez Masto — a member of Senate leadership — seems to have backing in her home state.”

“The top two congressional Republicans doubled down Friday that they won’t cede to Democratic demands to put in writing any agreement to begin talks on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies — something many Democrats say they need as part of a deal to end the government shutdown,” Politico reports.

Said Sen. John Thune (R-SD):  “There is nothing to negotiate.”

“We’re not seeing the leadership on both sides really willing to sit down and negotiate. And I think that’s what it’s gonna take.”

— Sen. Jean Shaheen (D-NH), talking on CNN about the government shutdown.

“The Senate will not be holding votes this weekend on reopening the government as was initially expected, as some Republican senators will be attending a high-dollar fundraising retreat for the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Georgia’s Sea Island,” The Hill reports.