The Senate is running out of time to pass a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government, with lawmakers facing a looming deadline of November 21st. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says that if the current bill were to pass, it wouldn't provide enough time for Congress to work on full-year appropriations before another shutdown.
The problem is that the seven-week runway provided by the short-term bill has shrunk to just two-and-a-half weeks. Thune believes that this deadline won't give lawmakers enough time to work out a deal with Democrats, who are demanding negotiations on health care in exchange for their support.
As a result, Thune says that the Senate will need to shift the day on funding the government, possibly extending it into early 2026. He's open to ideas on new deadlines and is willing to consider amending the current bill or starting from scratch with a new one.
However, there are still no clear signs of a breakthrough in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. The shutdown has become a sticking point over health care policy, with Democrats insisting that any deal must include significant changes to the Republican plan.
Thune acknowledges that this is an unusual government shutdown, given the partisan divisions between the two parties. Despite his optimism about shifting off-ramps, he notes that the path forward remains uncertain and that little has changed about what Republicans are willing to offer Democrats in exchange for their support.
The problem is that the seven-week runway provided by the short-term bill has shrunk to just two-and-a-half weeks. Thune believes that this deadline won't give lawmakers enough time to work out a deal with Democrats, who are demanding negotiations on health care in exchange for their support.
As a result, Thune says that the Senate will need to shift the day on funding the government, possibly extending it into early 2026. He's open to ideas on new deadlines and is willing to consider amending the current bill or starting from scratch with a new one.
However, there are still no clear signs of a breakthrough in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. The shutdown has become a sticking point over health care policy, with Democrats insisting that any deal must include significant changes to the Republican plan.
Thune acknowledges that this is an unusual government shutdown, given the partisan divisions between the two parties. Despite his optimism about shifting off-ramps, he notes that the path forward remains uncertain and that little has changed about what Republicans are willing to offer Democrats in exchange for their support.
It's getting old. And honestly, who needs a 7-week runway to figure out a deal? It feels like they're just throwing darts at the wall and hoping something sticks. "Oh, let's just extend it into early 2026 and hope for the best"... yawn. Thune is trying to be optimistic, but I'm calling BS - this whole thing is still super uncertain. When will we get some real progress? 
like we need a new deadline already, can't they just work together for once? and 7 weeks is like an eternity for us who have to deal with the consequences of a shut down... my mom has to worry about not getting her social security check on time, that's real stress 
how do they expect people to plan their lives when they don't know if the government is gonna be open or not?
and btw who exactly gets to decide when we'll have another shutdown? seems like a lot of back room dealin goin on over here 
. Seven weeks shrunk down to two and a half? That's just a joke. And Thune thinks Democrats will magically cave in because he's open to ideas? Give me a break 
. This whole shutdown thing is just politics as usual - neither side wants to give in, so we're stuck in limbo. I mean, what's the point of even having a deadline if you're just going to keep pushing it off? 
It's like they expect us to forget about this already 
Thune's right to say that two-and-a-half weeks just isn't enough time for them to hammer out a deal on healthcare, and yet he's still willing to tweak the bill and try again... I guess that's what happens when you gotta keep the lights on, even if it means putting everything else on hold. 
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. That's exactly what we need right now – a fresh perspective. Let's hope the politicians put aside their differences and work towards a compromise 
. We deserve better 
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. It's crazy how some things never change, right? Anyway, this short-term bill thingy just doesn't feel like enough, you know? Like, what if it passes but then they're still stuck in the same old cycle of disagreement? 
And yeah, it is weird that this shutdown has become such a big deal... especially with all the other stuff going on. Does anyone remember when we used to worry about something else? 
Like, what's next? 
. Thune is right, this short-term bill isn't gonna cut it, and the deadline is getting shorter by the day 
️, let alone work out a deal on health care.
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. Let's focus on what really matters: the people 
. And don't even get me started on Thune's "shift-off-ramps" idea - sounds like he's just trying to stall instead of actually getting things done 
I mean, I'm no expert, but it seems like a pretty basic request from one party to another. And yet, here we are, staring down the barrel of another shutdown because of partisan differences 
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cuz both parties just cant agree on anything lol. its like theyre more worried about lookin good on tv than actually gettin stuff done 
ugh i hate when this happens its so frustrating for the ppl who are affected by it 
gotta keep an eye on this 
. Newsflash: this isn't about bein' right or wrong, it's about bein' willing to compromise and find common ground 
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. I'm keepin' my eye on this one...
. I mean, have you ever had those little purple ones? They're so sweet and perfect for guacamole or something. I also saw this amazing pasta dish on Instagram that looked so easy to make, just toss some cherry tomatoes and basil with garlic spaghetti... anyway, back to politics! Do you think the shutdown is going to happen? Like, what's the point of even having a deadline if they're not gonna meet it, right? 
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. how many times do we need to shut down the government before we figure this out? 
. And shifting the deadline into 2026 sounds kinda dodgy to me 
. And Thune's suggestion to extend the funding into early 2026 is not exactly reassuring either... it feels like they're kicking the can down the road instead of finding a real solution 
. And now Thune is saying we might have to wait till 2026? That's just too long, if you ask me