For the first time in a long US government shutdown, there are signs of progress as Senate leaders from both parties discuss potential solutions, including a possible 'off-ramp' to end the 34-day impasse, though uncertainties remain.
Vulnerable House Republicans are divided on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies, with some open to negotiations if Democrats reopen the government first, while others oppose or seek policy changes; their positions could influence upcoming midterm races and healthcare costs.
After winning the Ohio Republican Senate primary, Bernie Moreno aims to unseat Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown by branding him as a far-left apparatchik, while Brown emphasizes his bipartisan efforts and relationships with executives. The race is now focused on defining each other, with Brown's allies characterizing Moreno as an unprincipled businessman, and Moreno framing Brown as an extreme liberal and political phony. The battle could determine which party controls the Senate, with each candidate accusing the other of selling out Ohio workers and being out of step with mainstream voters.