Thune Orders Senate to Stay Put Until Democrats End Shutdown Standoff [WATCH]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced Saturday that the Senate will remain in session until lawmakers reach an agreement to end the government shutdown, which has now entered its 40th day.

Speaking to reporters during a rare weekend session at the Capitol, Thune said senators would not be released to go home until a deal is finalized.

Senate will come in session at 1:30pm tomorrow — timing has shifted. GOP Conference meeting still set for 12:30pm.

— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 8, 2025

Despite the House passing a clean continuing resolution in September to keep the government open through November 21, the Senate has yet to take action on the measure.

The continuing resolution, or CR, passed the House with bipartisan support, but Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked it, extending what is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The House has not reconvened while awaiting Senate action, putting pressure on the upper chamber to resolve the stalemate.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Thune said he intends to keep senators in Washington until progress is made. “We’re not leaving town until the government is reopened,” Thune told reporters.

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have voted down the House-passed CR fifteen times, rejecting multiple attempts to advance the legislation.

Perhaps forcing the Senate Dems to work weekends ( like we are asking many federal employees to do but without pay) would help move things along.

— Joe Popolo (@Joe_Popolo) November 8, 2025

;

A sixteenth vote could come as early as Sunday as Republican leadership searches for new strategies to bring Democrats to the negotiating table.

Only three Democrats — Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.M.), and independent Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) — have joined Republicans in supporting measures to reopen the government.

Democratic leadership initiated the shutdown to press for action on healthcare subsidies connected to the so-called Affordable Care Act, a topic they view as politically advantageous heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.

The debate centers on expiring Obamacare premium subsidies originally extended under pandemic-era relief legislation.

Thune and other Republican leaders have indicated they are willing to allow a separate vote on healthcare subsidies once the government is reopened.

However, Democrats have refused to support reopening the government without a guaranteed one-year extension of those subsidies included in the funding bill.

Schumer reiterated that demand on Friday, seeking to ensure the issue remains active through next year’s elections.

WATCH: @SenSchumer abruptly walks off the floor as he was being questioned by Sen. @BernieMoreno about his proposal to end the shutdown.

Moreno asked Schumer if his proposal was in writing that people could look at.. and if people making millions would still receive the… pic.twitter.com/aRxzdYV5Fx

— Amber Jo Cooper (@AmberJoCooper) November 8, 2025

Thune rejected that proposal, calling it a non-starter.

“We’re not going to keep the government closed over partisan political demands,” a Republican aide familiar with the talks said.

The impasse has left federal workers unpaid for more than a month and caused growing delays in public services.

Air traffic disruptions, delayed food assistance payments, and stalled operations across several agencies have added pressure on both parties to reach a deal.

Republicans maintain that Democrats are prolonging the shutdown for political leverage, while Democrats argue that Republicans are refusing to negotiate on critical healthcare funding.

MONTAGE: Democrat leaders admit on tape that they shut the government as leverage pic.twitter.com/My0Ckh0e9B

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 9, 2025

As the standoff continues, bipartisan frustration has grown, with a handful of senators privately urging leadership to find a compromise.

Thune has scheduled a working lunch for Senate Republicans on Sunday to discuss next steps and potential procedural maneuvers to advance legislation.

If the Senate votes again on the House-passed CR, it will mark the sixteenth attempt to overcome Democratic opposition.

As the stalemate enters its sixth week, congressional staff and leadership aides say there is no clear timeline for resolution.

However, Thune made it clear that senators will not be allowed to leave Washington until the funding impasse is broken and the government fully reopens.