I’ve got a shutdown cloture vote teed up and ready to go once they close the vote. However, Senators McConnell and Schumer have just left the floor of the Senate together. It appears they’re having a back room negotiation on something. Whether it is what happens next when the cloture vote fails or something else I have no idea. So hold on to your seats, this may take a while.
Update at 11:08 PM EST
Senator Schumer is back on the Senate floor as of 11:06 PM EST. He first stopped and spoke with Senator Flake and then headed to the Democratic side of the Senate floor. No sign of Senator McConnell yet. It is unclear what, if anything, they were discussing and/or negotiating.
Update at 11:22 PM EST
Senators McConnell and Schumer are now both back on the Senate floor. It is still unclear what may or may not happen tonight. Stand by.
Update at 12:00 AM EST on 20 JAN 2018
We are now technically in shutdown. Given the Senate cloture vote is still open I really have no idea what happens now in reality.