Senate advances government funding bill, but reopening timeline remains uncertain

The Senate approved a stopgap funding measure 60-40 late Sunday night, but the government shutdown won't end immediately due to procedural requirements that could delay reopening until Thursday at the earliest.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin explained in a video posted before the vote that Senate passage triggers up to 30 hours of debate time. An additional three of 12 appropriations of funding bills from the House are amended onto the bill, which could mean another 30 hours of debate.

"Now, if the Democrats want to yield back the time, we could get all three votes done tonight the government could be reopened as soon as tomorrow night," Mullin said.

One of those appropriations, SNAP funding, has been cut, as millions of Americans are without SNAP since the shutdown started 41 days ago.

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