- There was little sign yesterday that Republicans and Democrats were any closer to a broad agreement over a federal funding bill that would lead to the end of the government shutdown.
- However, three Republican House representatives aligned with the Tea Party are prepared to support a deal to end the closure and even raise the $16.7 debt cap and that doesn't center on Obamacare. But they do want other major changes, including to the tax code, Medicare and Social Security. Whether that will fly with the Democrats is open to question.
- Still, a spot of bipartisanship has broken out on Capitol Hill, with the House voting by 407-0 to provide retroactive pay to furloughed federal workers.