Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) long talkathon against Obamacare is poised to end by 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, when Democratic leaders intend to move forward with a scheduled procedural vote toward averting a government shutdown.
Cruz began his lengthy speech on Tuesday at roughly 2:40 p.m. and has held the floor since. He will have to pause at noon for the ritual Senate prayer and pledge, and then he can continue until 1 p.m., when he will be pulled from the floor for the cloture vote, according to Democratic leadership aides.
The senator wants colleagues to block the motion to proceed to the bill unless Democrats agree to set a 60-vote threshold for funding Obamacare in the continuing resolution.
