Senate Inches Toward Shutdown Deal as Schumer Faces Pressure Over Delays
The Senate is inching closer to a deal to end a partial government shutdown that has lasted more than five weeks. Reports indicate that Senate leaders are reopening negotiations for a temporary funding plan, aiming to extend government operations past the November 21 deadline now that the election season has come and gone.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune is preparing for votes, with discussions expected to continue throughout the weekend. The proposal under review involves a shorter-term funding bill, commonly referred to as a “CR” or continuing resolution. This plan is intended to provide a stopgap solution until a more comprehensive budget can be agreed upon.
The situation has been described as a “big political game” by those frustrated with Senate leadership, particularly Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Critics, mostly from the Republican side, have accused Schumer and his party of using the shutdown as a strategic tool for political advantage rather than working toward a resolution.
At the heart of the standoff are discordant demands from both parties. Democrats are insisting on provisions to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, while Republicans argue for reopening the government first before tackling other issues. Schumer emphasized the urgency of the healthcare concerns, stating, “Families are opening their health care bills and wondering how they’ll pay them,” insisting that Democrats won’t agree to a government reopening without secure assurances on ACA subsidies.
Some Republicans are urging compromise. Thune remarked, “Obviously there were a lot of conversations over the weekend, and hopefully that will bring about the desired result.” He confirmed that votes could start as early as Friday morning, assuming the final texts are approved by the parties involved.
The ongoing shutdown, now extending into its 37th day, began after funding legislation expired in October. A full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026 remains unpassed, resulting in furloughs for roughly 750,000 federal employees and significant disruptions across a range of government services. The Transportation Department announced plans to cut air traffic staffing at major airports by 10% if the situation persists, threatening to complicate holiday travel.
Frustration is palpable among lawmakers. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her weariness, noting, “It’s the same stuff we’ve been talking about for months.” Senator Tim Kaine highlighted the challenges posed by the negotiation process, remarking, “That is something that John Thune cannot pledge to me… that’s for the White House to pledge,” emphasizing the need for clarity on layoff protections during future extensions.
The proposed agreement aims to keep the government funded for eight to ten weeks, allowing time for negotiations to advance into early 2024. This arrangement would also target specific departments for temporary funding, including Military Construction-VA, the Agriculture Department, and the FDA, while addressing ACA subsidy votes slated to expire soon.
However, Republicans remain hesitant to concede leverage without reciprocal commitments from Democrats. Senator Dick Durbin pointed out differing opinions among Democrats about how long to continue the standoff, with a few voices expressing concern over drawn-out negotiations. Senator Chris Murphy accused Republican leadership of employing aggressive tactics and voiced that this should not be the context in which votes on subsidies are held hostage.
The division runs deep, affecting both parties. Republican senators from agricultural districts are pushing for a swift resolution. Many have received complaints from constituents about delays in crucial services like housing assistance. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has reportedly critiqued any deal that doesn’t include ACA discussions, reflecting his continued influence within Republican politics.
As procedural discussions unfold this weekend, the Senate may explore motions to amend or attach policy to the CR. Given that a full-year budget is unlikely before the end of the year, this CR remains a critical lifeline to avert further economic complications stemming from the shutdown.
Senator Gary Peters recognized the importance of finding a broadly supported deal but noted significant challenges still exist. He referred to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s reluctance to engage deeply in Senate negotiations as a key hurdle. Johnson has distanced himself from the negotiations, stating, “I’m not part of the negotiation… I’m not promising anybody anything.”
Despite the complexities, signs of momentum are starting to appear. Negotiators are preparing legislative text for potential votes over the weekend. The Senate chamber is anticipated to remain active into Sunday as lawmakers strive to finalize proposals.
Thune summed up the state of affairs succinctly: “There’s no great magic in how we get out of this. It’s just the number of conversations and the amount of urgency brought to bear.” The next few days may yield a breakthrough—or prolong the uncertainty, as the 37-day mark weighs heavily on all involved. With the crisis deepening, the pressure to find common ground grows greater.
"*" indicates required fields
