The Senate is preparing for a pivotal Friday vote that could determine the fate of the ongoing government shutdown, with Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) signaling a potential path toward reopening the government — if both parties can finally agree on terms.
Thune told GOP lawmakers during a closed-door lunch that he plans to bring the House-passed continuing resolution back to the floor. The measure has already failed 14 times, but this time, the Republican leader intends to attach a three-bill spending package, or minibus, that’s been at the heart of negotiations with Democrats, according to a senior GOP aide.
The new proposal would extend funding into January, replacing the current November 21 deadline in the House version. It could also include a vote on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire soon — though details remain uncertain.
Despite growing pressure to resolve the standoff, aides on both sides warn that even if the bill moves forward, it could take several days to clear procedural hurdles. “We’ll find out how serious the Democrats are or not,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), hinting that partisan gridlock may still stall progress.
Democrats, after a lengthy caucus meeting Thursday, kept their strategy under wraps. Many insisted the party remained “unified,” though few offered specifics on what that unity entailed. “It was a great discussion, and we’re unified that we want to bring down health care costs,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), without elaborating on whether they’d support Thune’s proposal.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), one of the Democrats involved in the bipartisan talks, sounded cautiously upbeat, calling it “the best meeting we’ve had” and adding that discussions were finally moving “in the same direction.”
Still, some Democratic negotiators tempered expectations. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who’s been central to the talks, said before the meeting that a deal was unlikely in the immediate future. “No, I don’t think so,” Peters admitted when asked if the shutdown was close to ending. “We need an agreement that can earn broad support.”
Peters also criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for refusing to guarantee a vote on extending the enhanced ACA subsidies, calling it “a significant problem” that could derail the fragile talks.
As Friday’s vote looms, senators on both sides face mounting pressure to show progress — or risk extending a shutdown that’s already testing the patience of federal workers and millions of Americans.