THE United States Senate remained deadlocked on Thursday as Democrats continued to reject Republican proposals to end the 37-day federal government shutdown, despite new overtures that included reversing mass layoffs and protecting federal jobs.
Reuters reported on Friday, the impasse, the longest shutdown in U.S. history, has left around 750,000 federal employees furloughed, forced thousands more to work without pay, and cut off vital programmes such as food assistance and Head Start subsidies for millions of Americans.
Airports across the country are now warning of significant disruptions, with a 10 per cent reduction in flights expected in the coming days due to unpaid air-traffic controllers.
After 14 failed attempts to pass a short-term funding bill, the Senate is due to vote again on Friday, this time on a measure that could later be amended to include a bipartisan plan funding certain agencies and programmes for the full fiscal year.
“My hopes and expectations are always that we're going to have enough Democrats to actually proceed,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota. “We'll see. They seem to be walking back or slow-walking this.”
Republicans hold a narrow 53–47 majority in the chamber but require 60 votes to advance any funding legislation. With one Republican opposed, Thune would need at least eight Democrats to cross party lines — a threshold reached by only two Democrats and one independent so far.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York described Thursday’s closed-door caucus as “a very good, productive meeting,” though others were less enthusiastic. “I don’t know how productive it was in there,” said Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, one of the few Democrats to back a short-term funding bill.
Republicans have proposed a temporary stopgap funding plan combined with full-year appropriations for agriculture, veterans’ affairs, and the legislative branch — a move they say could quickly restore critical services. They have also indicated a willingness to reverse some of the federal workforce layoffs ordered by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The discussion was a healthcare discussion, and in the last few days, it’s also become a discussion about what I’ve been calling the moratorium on mischief,” said Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, referring to efforts to halt further job cuts.
Democrats, however, remain united in their demand that any agreement to reopen the government must include negotiations on extending federal healthcare subsidies. Republicans insist that talks on healthcare can only follow once government operations resume.
“We have to make sure we have a deal that we can get broad support for,” said Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, who has been engaged in bipartisan discussions. “There are a lot of things that have been kicked around as part of the deal. Nothing’s really crystallised.”
As an incentive, Thune has offered Democrats a Senate floor vote on renewing expiring federal tax credits that help low-income Americans pay for private health insurance. But there has been no such assurance from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
“I’m not part of the negotiation,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana. “I’m not promising anybody anything.”
Responding to Johnson’s stance, Peters said bluntly: “That’s a significant problem.”
Republicans have maintained that President Trump should not enter healthcare talks until the government is reopened, though some within the party suggested that the White House could intervene to guarantee a House vote if the Senate passes a bipartisan package.
“That’s a legitimate task for the White House to take on,” said Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. “They can at least signal that if you all get out of this, then we will allow a vote.”
Even if the Senate reaches a deal this week, government agencies are unlikely to reopen immediately. Any agreement would still require House approval before being sent to President Trump for his signature.
House Republican leaders, who have kept the chamber adjourned since before the shutdown began, have pledged to give members 48 hours’ notice before reconvening and at least 72 hours to review any proposed legislation before voting. - November 7, 2025
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