John Thune

Got his cabinet confirmed at the fastest rate possible.

We'll continue to work on the judiciary, Dana, but this is a procedure that's been in place for a long time that both Republicans and Democrats support because it gives them some input, particularly in those judges, the judicial appointments that are made in their individual states, some input into that decision-making process.

I don't think it's going to change.

It's been in place for a long time.

And like I said, there are Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and off the Judiciary Committee, for that matter, who support this and support it strongly.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans support a plan that redirects money from health care subsidies to

to consumers to use and health savings accounts.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging Republicans to back the Democratic bill that extends the current subsidies for three years.

The Senate will vote on both bills on Thursday, but neither plan is expected to get the 60 votes needed to advance.

If Congress fails to act, millions of Americans will see health care costs go up in January.

Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

It delivers the benefit directly to the patient.

not to the insurance company, and it does it in a way that actually saves money.

I am optimistic.

that after almost six weeks of this shutdown, we'll finally be able to end it.

I will call up that bill in a matter of minutes, and I look forward to passing the clean continuing resolution and appropriations bill package in the very near future.

I'm hopeful that we can finally bring the shutdown to an end.

I don't need to go over all the reasons why it's imperative that we get the government open as soon as possible.

From the truly precarious situation we are in with regard to air travel to the fact that our staffs have been working without pay for a full 40 days now, all of us, Republicans and Democrats,

who support this bill know that the time to act is now.