Burgess Everett
@burgessev.bsky.social
7.1K followers 160 following 1.6K posts
Congressional bureau chief at Semafor. Former Politico
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burgessev.bsky.social
Democrats block House-passed CR (again). Thune moves to set up votes on it for later this week as well as some judicial nominee

But this is new: He also files cloture on the defense funding bill, forcing Dems to vote just on that slice of government funding
burgessev.bsky.social
New: DSCC Chair Gillibrand with warm words for Mills

“I think we have a formidable candidate in Janet Mills, she’s the sitting governor. I'm very excited about her candidacy. I look forward to supporting her race”

DSCC has no plans to officially endorse in the primary
burgessev.bsky.social
Senate Minority Whip Durbin says Thune/Johnson/Schumer/Jeffries/Trump all need to meet ASAP to end shutdown

“it's time for us to sit down and resolve this”

He said Dems are not going to change their votes on the House CR at this point: “I don’t believe that’s going to happen"
burgessev.bsky.social
Thune is asked if it's legal to pay the troops during shutdown

“Where they are trying to find some of the funding is out of areas of the budget that obviously they will replenish and pay back. But these are the decisions that get forced upon you when the government shuts down”
burgessev.bsky.social
Thune says he’s still trying to figure out when to vote on Russia sanctions bill, said he hopes to do it this month and the issue is “pretty ripe” but needs to work it out with the White House
Reposted by Burgess Everett
daveweigel.bsky.social
Went to the DC exurbs to write about a growing political trend — citizens who don’t want more data centers, and are looking for politicians who’ll help.

Locally they’re getting help from both parties. At higher level, Rs are resolutely pro-data center and Ds are conflicted. t.co/Ir0QW8FUey
https://www.semafor.com/article/10/13/2025/as-electricity-bills-rise-candidates-in-both-parties-blame-data-centers
t.co
burgessev.bsky.social
If the shutdown makes it to the weekend it'll be the third-longest ever -- and Trump is removing some of the most crucial pain points in paying national security folks www.semafor.com/article/10/1...
US govt shutdown could be one of nation’s longest
The Senate is back today for Day 14 of the current shutdown.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
2 visions for beating Collins

Mills: “Her record of winning elections has been taking on untested candidates ... I am not untested"

Platner: “If you don’t get a candidate that’s going to inspire and energize a lot of the independents .. serious risk of losing"

www.semafor.com/article/10/1...
Mills launches her Senate bid with ‘no promises’ to Schumer
The two-term Maine governor talked to Semafor about jumping into an unexpectedly crowded Democratic primary with distance from the leader.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
News: Mills launches Senate bid w ‘no promises’ to Schumer

“Nobody in the state of Maine has asked me about Chuck Schumer. And I’ve actually met with him only once in my life"

“My vote is not guaranteed to Senator Schumer or anybody else; they’ll have to earn it"

www.semafor.com/article/10/1...
Mills launches her Senate bid with ‘no promises’ to Schumer
The two-term Maine governor talked to Semafor about jumping into an unexpectedly crowded Democratic primary with distance from the leader.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
This shutdown is going to hit different without military pay -- part of why 18-19 went on so long is because military was still funded. It's probably the most painful leverage point

GOP leaders won't do standalone military pay bill ...

@eleanormueller.bsky.social

www.semafor.com/article/10/1...
Republicans sideline military pay bill as shutdown layoffs begin
The federal government layoffs are ‘substantial,’ an OMB spokesperson said.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
The RIFs seem like they might further entrench the Democratic position and prolong shutdown

Rep. Beyer: "harder to get the bipartisan deal that is needed to end this shutdown"

Sen. Murray: “A shutdown does not give Trump or Vought new, special powers to cause more chaos"
burgessev.bsky.social
Thune says if the shutdown keeps dragging on that changing the CR date “could be an option” (what was once a 7-week CR has essentially become a 5-week CR at this point)
burgessev.bsky.social
Rs are adamant they will not negotiate on the CR so it's limiting what they can offer Dems during shutdown

Rounds: "What we’re trying to do is to retain our integrity by not making a promise that we can’t keep.”

(Dems similarly refused to negotiate on CRs in past)

www.semafor.com/article/10/0...
Senate GOP mulls offering vote to Democrats in shutdown standoff
The proposal would allow for a vote on extending health care subsidies, a sticking point in shutdown talks.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
After passing the NDAA, the Senate is gone until next Tuesday. Next week’s recess is canceled and the shutdown will stretch to 14 days minimum
burgessev.bsky.social
There's *some* shutdown movement

Senate Dem: if Thune could guarantee a vote on ACA subsidies and approps bills, it might be enough to get some Dems

Senate R: ACA subsidies can pass Senate but needs well over 60 votes and buy-in from Trump + Speaker to become law

www.semafor.com/article/10/0...
Senate Republicans mull a vote offer to Democrats in shutdown standoff
The potential proposal on the table would be a vote on extending expiring health care subsidies.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
Stop me if you've heard this one: The House-passed CR failed, 54-45 (so did the Dem/health care CR). 7th time was not the charm

Shutdown continues

Thune and Schumer may force another vote later before the week is out
burgessev.bsky.social
News: GOP leaders are considering whether to offer Democrats a future vote on extending health care subsidies as a bid to end the deadlock on the government shutdown. Thune says it "might be an off ramp" and Barrasso says there are "discussions" about it

www.semafor.com/article/10/0...
Senate Republicans mull a vote offer to Democrats in shutdown standoff
The potential proposal on the table would be a vote on extending expiring health care subsidies.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
Wicker says the Senate is ready to go on the NDAA but is waiting on Schumer to agree to move forward

Note: It's pretty unusual for the Senate to continue doing major non-shutdown things during a shutdown, but here we are
burgessev.bsky.social
Schumer is quoting Reps. Massie and Greene and Kiley wanting House to come back in session

"The cracks are showing"
burgessev.bsky.social
The Senate has technically been on NDAA for weeks and weeks. Thune says he's ready to move forward and finish it up in the middle of the shutdown but is waiting on Dems to sign off on a voting deal for about 18 amendments

"We could be voting on it today"
burgessev.bsky.social
Shutdown Day 9 -- This could easily go 14+ days at this point, with Senate possibly leaving for the weekend

Context: 2013 shutdown was 16 days ... 2018-2019 was 35 but a partial shutdown

www.semafor.com/article/10/0...
US government shutdown may last into next week
The Senate may head home for the weekend.
www.semafor.com
burgessev.bsky.social
Sen. Young opposed the War Powers resolution but says “I am highly concerned about the legality of recent strikes in the Caribbean and the trajectory of military operations without congressional approval or debate and the support of the American people.”
burgessev.bsky.social
Rand Paul railing against the strikes on alleged drug boats off coast of Venezuela. He's going to vote for the Kaine/Schiff resolution tonight

"Since we're blowing them to smithereens ... Maybe someone should take the time to explain the evidence of their terrorism?"
burgessev.bsky.social
Rubio explained to Senate Republicans this afternoon the legal theory behind the administration’s strikes on the boats off coast of Venezuela, per Sen. Kennedy. “He’s clearly thought it through”