Republican Divisions Over Stopgap Spending Bill as U.S. Government Shutdown Enters 36th Day

By Solange Reyner | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 04:00 PM EST

Republican negotiators remain deeply divided over the duration of a stopgap spending bill as the government shutdown enters its 36th day, according to reports. The House-passed continuing resolution would fund the government only through Nov. 21, but no resolution has been reached.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., an appropriator and ally of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated that debates over extending the funding period to January or Dec. 19 remain unresolved. Thune acknowledged that the Nov. 21 deadline is “lost” after multiple failed attempts by the Senate to advance a short-term funding bill.

At a Senate Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon, Sens. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Jerry Moran of Kansas advocated for a late-December date, while Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Eric Schmitt of Missouri pushed for January. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., noted the lack of consensus, stating, “There are good arguments on both sides.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed reluctance to extend funding into December, citing concerns about “PTSD” over Christmas omnibus spending bills. However, he suggested that a January extension “makes sense,” adding that discussions continue.

The shutdown’s 36 days mark the longest in U.S. history. Democratic lawmakers have demanded that any deal address health care concerns, including Affordable Care Act tax credits and Medicaid cuts from President Donald Trump’s summer spending package. Republicans argue such negotiations can occur after government funding is restored.