Senate to Reconvene Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown Negotiations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate will reconvene Sunday afternoon following a Saturday session that offered no resolution to the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its 39th day.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged Democrats to support a “clean” short-term spending bill to reopen the federal government. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer insisted that any deal must include a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act health care subsidies.

“A one-year extension is something many Republicans themselves have said they want,” Schumer argued. He criticized the GOP for dismissing the proposal and emphasized the urgent need to provide assistance to low-income Americans relying on subsidies to afford health coverage.

Thune responded to Schumer’s demands, stating, “Any negotiations on health care tax credits will not take place until the government is reopened.” He expressed hopes that legislators would remain in Washington until the impasse is resolved, even with plans for a recess next week.

President Trump, spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort, reiterated calls to end the Senate’s filibuster rule, arguing that it hinders progress. He described the Affordable Care Act as “the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World” and criticized the funding that supports it.

As bipartisan negotiations continue, pressure is mounting from both sides to address the impact of the shutdown, which has disrupted services and delayed critical funding for food assistance programs.

Senate Republicans maintain they need at least seven Democratic votes to advance a plan without altering the current filibuster rules. However, ongoing disputes over health care remain a significant barrier to reaching a compromise.

Thune acknowledged that ongoing talks have been complicated but expressed optimism about finding a solution. “We need to get back on track and get this resolved promptly,” he said.

The Senate is expected to hold further discussions on the funding bills aimed at reopening the government as lawmakers continue to address the pressing financial impacts of the shutdown on federal workers and their families.