Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Republicans are considering pushing back the House-passed government funding extension in an effort to give lawmakers more time to pass spending bills. The House’s continuing resolution (CR) would reopen the government until November 21, but this has been blocked by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats 13 times, pushing the shutdown into record-breaking territory.
The original seven-week funding plan has now been reduced to just three weeks as the shutdown drags on. Thune and the Senate GOP realize that more time is required to complete the process of passing appropriations bills. The Senate has already tried to get a package of three bills on the floor, but this was blocked by Senate Democrats. Thune emphasized that the House-passed CR date of November 21 is no longer viable, and the objective now is to produce a CR that extends the funding deadline, possibly into January.
Thune expressed openness to extending the deadline into the new year, stating, “The House-passed CR is, you know, the idea that we could get any appropriations bills done, you know, by November the 21st now, that date’s lost.” He highlighted that the Senate needs more time to complete the process, noting that the longer the runway, the better. However, any changes to the House’s bill or a new bill would need to break through the 60-vote threshold in the Senate and gain support from Democrats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has kept the House out of session for over six weeks, and any amendments to the CR or a new bill would need to be sent back to the House. Johnson blamed Senate Democrats for running out the clock, saying, “We’re very mindful of the clock. And the great irony here is the Democrats are the ones that are taking the time off that clock. We needed it.” Meanwhile, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., suggested that a new CR extending into early January may be necessary to avoid the Christmas omnibus bill, which consolidates all 12 appropriations bills and numerous riders into one massive package.
Some conservative factions within the GOP, such as the House Freedom Caucus, are advocating for an even longer-term funding bill, possibly extending into December 2026, if the details align with their priorities. Thune remains optimistic that the shutdown could end this week, but he acknowledged it’s unlikely unless progress is made. The Senate is nearing a recess for Veterans’ Day next week, and Thune warned that if progress isn’t seen by the middle of the week, lawmakers may leave Washington without resolving the funding issue.