This article discusses the Senate’s move to keep its chamber in session beyond Friday as a last attempt to resolve the ongoing government shutdown. Majority Leader John Thune has decided to prolong the session to apply pressure on Democrats, following a call from President Trump and other Republicans. This is the first time since the shutdown began that the Senate has held a session on Saturday, aiming to push for a resolution.
However, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty. While some senators have expressed willingness to stay in Washington, others are anticipated to leave for home-state engagements. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has openly criticized the situation as an “intergalactic freak show,” indicating his skepticism that the weekend session will lead to any meaningful progress. Despite this, the Senate will hold its session on Saturday at noon, but no votes have been scheduled for the time being. Majority Leader John Thune, who has been in constant communication with Democratic senators, acknowledges that the outcome remains uncertain, stating, “It remains to be seen.”
Bipartisan negotiations among rank-and-file senators are expected to continue, with some sources indicating that talks had resumed as of Friday night. Nevertheless, the political climate remains tense, with no clear breakthrough in sight. Republicans have not yet called for a vote on the House-passed stop, which has been rejected by Democrats 14 times. Their approach is to see if bipartisan negotiations among senators can build enough support to open the government.
The key issue of extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which expire at the end of the year, has become a major sticking point. While Democrats have made it clear that they want some form of relief, Republicans refuse to agree to a solution without the government first being reopened. The situation is further complicated by the fact that, even if an agreement is reached, it may not be able to pass the House or receive presidential approval.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has expressed frustration with the lack of direct engagement from leadership and President Trump, calling the current impasse “insane.” He argues that the political stalemate is harming the nation and that the only way to resolve it is by bringing back rank-and-file negotiations. At the same time, some Republicans, such as Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), are continuing their private discussions about health care solutions, although they acknowledge that aligning with Democrats and securing Trump’s support will be a significant challenge.