Senate Stalemate Continues as Government Shutdown Looms

By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 08 November 2025 06:27 PM EST

A rare Saturday session of the U.S. Senate ended without votes or publicly released legislation, highlighting the ongoing deadlock over funding that threatens to extend the federal government shutdown. With only days remaining before key agencies lose funding, lawmakers are struggling to reach a resolution.

Senators reconvened Saturday as the 39-day funding lapse persists but left the Capitol with minimal progress. No votes were held, and the text of a three-bill “minibus” aimed at funding military construction, agriculture, and the legislative branch for fiscal 2026 was not released, according to Reuters.

Republican leadership chose not to push a vote Saturday afternoon, citing the need for further negotiations. Two GOP sources indicated senators plan to meet Sunday over lunch and may consider a House-approved stopgap spending bill, per The Hill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Saturday that he anticipates the chamber will remain in session until the government is reopened. “The question is whether we can have everything ready to go,” Thune stated. “We’re getting close to having it ready.” He emphasized that text must be released and that securing necessary votes remains a challenge, noting overnight bipartisan talks were “positive.”

Democrats introduced an alternative proposal Friday, offering a one-year extension of the enhanced healthcare tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, alongside a clean continuing resolution and a three-bill minibus. Republicans quickly dismissed the plan, arguing subsidy extensions divert funds to insurers rather than individuals.

President Donald Trump weighed in late Saturday via social media, urging Senate Republicans to redirect funding from insurers to taxpayers. “NO MORE MONEY, HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TO THE DEMOCRAT SUPPORTED INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR REALLY BAD OBAMACARE… THE MONEY MUST NOW GO DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE…”

On the Senate floor, GOP lawmakers criticized the Democratic plan. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, questioned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., about income caps and written details of the proposal. Schumer responded that income-cap discussions would follow after reopening, stating, “Once we pass the one-year fix… we would sit and negotiate that.”

The Republican conference appears to favor a short-term spending measure ending on Jan. 30, according to Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. However, Thune noted while healthcare talks are guaranteed, outcomes remain uncertain, emphasizing any subsidy extension must wait until government funding is restored.

Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.