(Washington, D.C.) Republicans and Democrats are in talks to end the federal government shutdown, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying there has been a positive turn in negotiations. Lawmakers are working to reach an agreement to restore government operations and introduce three long-term funding bills for certain agencies.
The record-breaking government shutdown entered its 39th day on Saturday (November 8th), and after weeks of stalled negotiations, serious discussions appear to have begun in recent days. When asked by a reporter on Saturday whether any substantive bipartisan talks had taken place in the past 24 hours, Thune replied, "Yes, I think there have been."
The prolonged shutdown has resulted in numerous federal employees being laid off without pay, and has also affected food aid, air transport, and national park operations.
Republican senators revealed that lawmakers originally planned to release the full versions of three fiscal year 2026 funding bills on Saturday, covering agriculture, food and nutrition programs, military construction projects, veterans' programs, and congressional operating expenses. These proposals would provide funding for these operations until September 30th of next year.
However, by the end of consultations on Saturday, the two parties had failed to reach an agreement on restarting the government, nor had they released a full-year funding bill. Thune, however, said the Senate would still convene exceptionally on Sunday (the 9th) to try again to move forward.
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Meanwhile, senators are working on a temporary measure to buy more time to reach an agreement on the remaining nine discretionary spending bills for other federal departments, such as Homeland Security, Defense, Housing, and Health and Human Services.
North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven said the short-term funding bill, which expires on January 21, will be renewed through new legislation to restart government operations and keep them running until late January.
Breaking the government shutdown deadlock requires the support of at least eight Democrats. Thune did not specify how Republicans would respond to Democrats' demands to extend Medicaid. He said President Trump wants to address the US healthcare crisis.
Republicans have stated they will not negotiate on Medicare subsidies until the shutdown ends.
Trump urged Senate Republicans to distribute federal funds allocated to subsidizing Affordable Care directly to the public, "so people can buy better health insurance and still have savings."
He did not provide a specific plan. Some Republican senators have expressed support, but Democrats have remained largely silent so far.
Democrats are demanding a one-year extension of Medicaid, which expires at the end of this year. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats are willing to negotiate on issues such as the cap on Medicaid income after the extension bill officially takes effect. He also criticized the Trump administration for withholding food stamp subsidies and for using "political tactics" to reduce the number of flights at designated airports.
