Lawmakers in the Senate described emerging outlines of a bipartisan package on Tuesday aimed at reopening the federal government as the shutdown threatened to become the longest in U.S. history. Negotiators discussed pairing a short-term continuing resolution with a three-bill “minibus” of full-year appropriations and securing a separate vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits Democrats want. Senate leaders from both parties said talks have intensified, though critical votes remained unresolved and the targeted funding deadline is still under negotiation.
Key takeaways
- Senators reported progress on a bipartisan plan to combine a short-term continuing resolution with a three-bill minibus of full-year appropriations to reopen the government.
- The proposed minibus would cover military construction and VA, the legislative branch, and the FDA and USDA funding streams.
- Republicans have offered a guaranteed Senate vote to extend ACA health-insurance tax credits in exchange for Democratic votes to advance funding.
- A procedural GOP effort to advance a party-backed continuing resolution failed on Tuesday; no additional Democrats crossed the aisle.
- The short-term continuing resolution under discussion would fund the government only through Nov. 21, creating pressure for a new deadline or a follow-up measure.
- Key appropriators and bipartisan leaders, including Sen. John Thune and Sen. Susan Collins, described talks as more specific and potentially productive this week.
- Any single senator can slow or block the package, meaning the impasse could stretch beyond the current negotiating window.
Background
The shutdown began after Congress failed to enact stopgap or full-year funding measures as the fiscal year deadline passed. Lawmakers have long debated whether to return to “regular order” and approve individual appropriations bills or rely on large omnibus packages and short-term continuing resolutions. The 2018–2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days, is the benchmark many members cited as a cautionary example of protracted funding disputes.
Republican leaders have emphasized completing full-year appropriations this year rather than defaulting to another omnibus. Democrats have leveraged the need for funding votes to press for a separate recorded vote on extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, a priority tied to health coverage costs for millions of Americans. The political context — including recent elections and partisan pressure within both parties — has shaped negotiators’ tactics and timelines.
Main event
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators intensified conversations about a package that would pair a continuing resolution with a three-bill minibus. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was hopeful negotiators were near a solution while acknowledging strong “cross-pressures” across the chamber. The minibus elements were described as funding for military construction and Veterans Affairs, the legislative branch, and a grouping for the FDA and Department of Agriculture.
Republicans pressed for additional Democratic votes to clear a short-term measure; party leaders say they need at least five Democrats to advance a GOP-backed stopgap. Senate Democrats held a lengthy caucus meeting and declined to disclose details afterward; Minority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated caucus members are exploring options. A GOP procedural effort to secure a 14th vote on advancing a continuing resolution failed on Tuesday.
Several senators directly involved in the talks characterized the discussions as more productive because negotiators are laying out specific packages rather than only debating a single continuing resolution. Sen. Katie Britt and Sen. Susan Collins, both on appropriations matters, described weekend and Monday outreach aimed at breaking the appropriations logjam. Still, exact deadlines and whether the Nov. 21 funding stopgap will be extended remained unsettled.
Analysis & implications
If lawmakers agree to pair a continuing resolution with a targeted minibus, it would represent a tactical shift toward advancing full-year appropriations in narrow clusters instead of relying on a single omnibus at year-end. That approach could revive elements of “regular order” and give appropriators a path to finish bills individually, but it also raises the complexity of negotiating multiple politically sensitive measures in a compressed timetable.
The promised vote on extending ACA tax credits is a political sweetener meant to pull moderate Democrats toward a bipartisan package. Securing that vote would address a core Democratic demand while allowing Republicans to claim progress on fiscal process. However, giving a separate vote does not guarantee passage, and Democrats may withhold support until they are confident the package will clear the Senate and the House.
Economically, an extended shutdown risks increased costs for federal operations, delayed benefits and contracts, and broader market and consumer uncertainty if it stretches. Politically, the outcome will affect messaging for both parties ahead of upcoming legislative fights: Republicans will seek to highlight bipartisanship and appropriations progress, while Democrats will emphasize protections for health coverage and other priorities.
Comparison & data
| Shutdown | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | 35 days | Previous longest U.S. federal shutdown (Dec 22, 2018–Jan 25, 2019) |
| 2025 shutdown | Ongoing as of Nov. 4, 2025 | Poised to surpass prior record if not resolved |
The 35-day 2018–19 shutdown remains the benchmark for modern-era funding impasses. As of Nov. 4, 2025 the current shutdown was described by negotiators as on track to eclipse that length unless an agreement is reached. Appropriators’ stated goal of passing individual bills rather than a year-long continuing resolution reflects an institutional preference that could reduce future stopgap brinksmanship if implemented.
Reactions & quotes
Senate leaders and appropriators offered cautious optimism while noting obstacles remain.
“We had a very good caucus, and we’re exploring all the options.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Schumer’s remark followed a lengthy Democratic caucus meeting where members weighed whether to support a package that combines appropriations bills with a vote on ACA tax credits.
“There are cross-pressures that everybody’s feeling, and they are great.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Thune framed the talks as constructive but acknowledged internal and external incentives that complicate bargaining, including pressure from party bases and upcoming political calendars.
“I will tell you there’s enough Democrats that I’m friends with that were willing to vote last week… I’m pretty confident the shutdown will end this week.”
Sen. Markwayne Mullin
Mullin expressed confidence that a resolution could occur quickly, while other senators warned a single holdout could prolong negotiations into next week.
Unconfirmed
- The claim that Democrats are uniformly waiting until after recent elections to back down is asserted by some Republicans but has not been independently verified.
- Reports that specific Democrats were privately assured by leadership they could vote a certain way this week remain based on individual accounts and lack public documentation.
- Precise timing for any extension beyond Nov. 21 — including whether a December deadline will be adopted — was still under negotiation and not finalized as of Nov. 4.
Bottom line
Senators reported more concrete conversations this week about pairing a short-term funding fix with a three-bill minibus and a separate vote on ACA tax credits. That formula is designed to bridge partisan differences by combining immediate relief with steps toward full-year appropriations, but it depends on fragile cross-party vote counts and procedural hurdles.
Even if negotiators reach agreement on the broad framework, the narrow margins in the Senate mean a small number of holdouts could stall final action and extend the shutdown. Observers should watch whether Democrats secure assurances about the ACA vote and whether appropriators set a realistic follow-up timeline that avoids a year-long continuing resolution or a massive year-end omnibus.
Sources
- CBS News (news report)
- Senate Republican Conference (official party statements)
- Senate Democratic Caucus (official party statements)