Could the government shutdown finally see its end this week? Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is waving a flag of optimism, suggesting that a bipartisan agreement might just be around the corner to get federal operations back on track.
According to The Hill, bipartisan discussions among lawmakers have been buzzing through the weekend, with Thune expressing confidence that a deal to reopen the government could materialize by week’s end, potentially through a stopgap spending bill extending funding into January or beyond.
Thune shared his thoughts on Monday, pointing to the urgency of resolving the stalemate that has kept parts of the government shuttered. “Based on my gut and how these things operate, I think we’re getting close to an off-ramp,” Thune said. Well, let’s hope that gut feeling isn’t just indigestion—Americans are tired of political gridlock holding their services hostage.
The Senate has been stuck in a loop, voting repeatedly on a funding package that would have carried through late November, but that deadline is now a pipe dream. Thune noted that the previously proposed date is no longer workable, pushing for a new timeline. It’s a classic case of Congress kicking the can down the road, but at least they’re trying to aim for a longer runway.
Speaking of that runway, Thune is advocating for a continuing resolution that stretches into January, arguing there’s simply not enough time to hammer out full-year spending measures by the old cutoff. If we’re stuck with temporary fixes, why not make them last a bit longer instead of playing budgetary whack-a-mole every few weeks?
Bipartisan talks among rank-and-file lawmakers have been ongoing, with weekend sessions showing some promise of a breakthrough. Items on the table include a clear path forward for regular appropriations and possibly a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. It’s a mixed bag, but at least they’re talking instead of posturing for social media clout.
Thune emphasized that any stopgap measure must include a revised funding date, as the current one has “lost” its relevance. “The objective here is to try and get something that we could send back to the House that would open up the government,” Thune stated. Admirable, but let’s see if the House can resist turning this into another partisan circus.
Time is of the essence, and Thune isn’t blind to the ticking clock. He warned that progress must be evident by midweek if there’s any hope of wrapping this up before the weekend. Otherwise, it’s back to square one, and nobody wants that—not even the most die-hard deficit hawks.
There’s also the shadow of upcoming elections in several states, casting a bit of a pall over negotiations. Thune acknowledged that these events could complicate the timeline for a deal. It’s almost as if politics can’t help but trip over itself at every turn.
Ever the pragmatist, Thune isn’t ruling out scrapping a planned weeklong recess next week if no agreement is reached. That’s a bold move—lawmakers giving up a break is about as rare as a unicorn sighting. But if it means getting the government running again, maybe it’s worth the sacrifice.
The push for a January extension makes sense when you consider the alternative: a rushed, half-baked funding plan that collapses under its own weight. Thune seems to believe a longer timeline offers stability, which is something both sides should be able to rally behind. Or will progressive agendas demand more spending promises before signing on?
Let’s not forget the weekend talks that have kept hopes alive for a resolution. Thune suggested that these discussions could bear fruit, but only if momentum builds soon. It’s a tightrope walk—bipartisanship sounds nice until someone decides to play hardball for political points.
The stakes are high, and Thune’s optimism is tempered by a dose of reality. If midweek doesn’t show serious progress, the chances of a deal by week’s end grow slimmer than a budget cut proposal. Americans deserve better than a government held hostage by indecision.
At the end of the day, this shutdown saga is a stark reminder of why so many distrust Washington’s ability to get things done. Thune’s push for a stopgap bill into January might just be the compromise we need, but only if both chambers can set aside ideological posturing. Here’s hoping for a resolution that puts people over politics.