Senate centrists in both parties are trying to put together a deal to reopen the federal government.

A group of them huddled on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, after Democrats voted for the second time in two days to block a House-passed stopgap funding measure.

Three members of the Democratic caucus voted for the House-passed continuing resolution, but five more Democrats would need to support it to reopen the federal government.

Senate Republicans control 53 seats and need 60 votes to pass a government funding measure. They need eight Democratic votes because Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) doesn’t want to continue the current funding levels.

Additional Democratic centrists may support the resolution if they are given strong assurances from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) tha

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