‘Friend Conversations’ in the Senate Spark Some Positivity but Shutdown Deal Is Far From Close

“There’s not as much anger as you would think,” said Sen. John Kennedy.

Corridor leading to the Senate chamber

Renovations to the ornate Ohio Clock Corridor just off the Senate chamber are seen at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, April 14, 2023. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The government has shut down, and there are no signs of when it could reopen.

Despite the very public and acrimonious feud between Republicans and Democrats, a bipartisan group of lawmakers huddled on the floor during votes, and those conversations showed some promise, according to some senators.

Several Republicans spoke with Democrats on the floor around noon after another failed vote on the CR. Members did not disclose specifics on what was discussed, but they saw positivity that a dialogue was starting. In past shutdowns, moderate members have been the first to hammer out a deal in closed-door meetings, although many of those lawmakers are no longer in Congress.