Another weekend of shutdown appears to be in store as senators prepare to hole up in Washington-awdailynews

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2025-11-08

Another weekend of shutdown appears to be in store as senators prepare to hole up in Washington

The Senate wrestled Friday with the issue of ending the government shutdown, but found itself once again gridlocked.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune began the week talking about his optimism that bipartisan talks could soon bear fruit. He offered a very different message on Friday, accusing Democrats of “celebrating” the ongoing economic pain Americans are experiencing and then telling reporters he’s planning for his chamber to stay in Washington this weekend.

Meanwhile, on the Senate floor, lawmakers debated multiple options — from a bill to end the shutdown to another to simply pay federal workers — but saw each side object to the other’s plans.

Thune added to reporters that he hopes for another bill — which could include a new end date for the shutdown and full-year authorization for some programs — but acknowledged that a vote is unlikely to happen today at least.

US Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, speaks to reporters on day 37 of the government shutdown, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, November 6, 2025. US officials said the scheduled capacity for flights would be cut by 10 percent in 40 busy air traffic areas nationwide starting on November 7 as the longest government shutdown drags on. Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, with some 1.4 million federal workers, from air traffic controllers to park wardens, still on enforced leave or working without pay. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters about the government shutdown at the US Capitol in Washington on Thursday. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) · SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, announced a new plan to reopen the government if a one-year extension of enhanced Obamacare healthcare subsidies is attached.

Republicans immediately rejected that, and another day of both sides continuing to talk past each other was perhaps a fitting cap to a week where the stoppage became the longest in US history.

As for a takeaway for markets, Pangaea Policy founder Terry Haines joined Yahoo Finance and could offer only that the shutdown will “probably” end by Thanksgiving.

“The practical pain that people will go through,” he added, “probably plays a role in all of that.”

The week is ending with less optimism than it began, with a key factor being election results that saw the Democratic Party gain across the board.

Prominent Democrats, like Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, immediately responded to the results, saying they were a message to keep fighting.

It was no coincidence, Murphy wrote, that “these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong.”

Meanwhile, President Trump has shown no signs of offering concessions and has continued to ignore pressure to meet with Democrats for negotiations.

The president repeated calls this week to change the Senate’s filibuster rules, including three separate social media posts Friday morning, as well as during an appearance at the White House alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

President Donald Trump, right, meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) — President Trump meets with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Friday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) · ASSOCIATED PRESS

The president also appeared with Senate Republicans on Wednesday and rhetorically asked if this week’s election results could herald a quicker end to the shutdown.