After more than a week of gridlock in Washington, signs of a potential breakthrough in the government funding standoff are beginning to appear. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) told Fox News on Tuesday that several Senate Democrats are now privately considering joining Republicans to support a temporary funding bill — a development that could shift the balance of power in the ongoing shutdown fight.
The partial shutdown, now entering its second week, began after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies beyond the September 30 deadline. Without the CR, nonessential government operations have been halted, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay.
So far, three Democrats — Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats — have already broken ranks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) to vote with Republicans on a clean spending bill. That bill, approved earlier by the House of Representatives, would reopen the government temporarily while broader negotiations continue.
Thune revealed that discussions are underway with at least two additional Democratic senators who are considering voting to reopen the government.
“We have 55 of 100 United States senators voting to reopen the government,” Thune said during an appearance on The Faulkner Focus. “We need five more Democrats. It takes 60 to do most things in the United States Senate, and all we need is five Democrats. But their leadership is intent on appeasing this far-left base.”
The measure requires 60 votes to advance in the Senate. If Thune’s count holds, that would mean the proposal is only five votes shy of clearing the chamber and sending the bill to the president’s desk.
Thune emphasized that the House-passed legislation is a “clean” CR, free from partisan riders or policy add-ons that could complicate passage.
“This is 24 pages long. It’s straightforward, it’s nonpartisan, and it simply funds the government,” he said. “There’s no hidden agenda here. The American people want the government open, and this is the way to do it.”
https://rumble.com/v70aqf0-senate-majority-leader-john-thune-announces-progress-on-shutdown-negotiatio.html
Growing Signs of Fracture
Thune declined to identify the two Democrats reportedly in discussions with GOP leadership, but Senate staffers have confirmed that quiet talks have been ongoing between several moderate Democrats and senior Republicans. Lawmakers familiar with the matter said the senators are concerned about the political risks of an extended shutdown, particularly with the 2026 midterms beginning to come into focus.
The Senate has now held eight failed votes to reopen the government since the shutdown began. A ninth vote is expected on Thursday afternoon, with growing speculation that the vote tally may finally begin to shift.
Behind the scenes, pressure is mounting on Sen. Schumer, who has worked to keep Democrats unified in opposition to the GOP-backed funding bill. Schumer has argued that the continuing resolution should include key Democratic priorities, including restoration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, expanded community health funding, and additional education grants that were left out of the House version.
Republicans have refused those conditions, arguing that Democrats are trying to use the shutdown as leverage to force unrelated spending increases.
“We’re only stuck as long as a handful of Democrats decide they want to follow the leader and play politics rather than do the right thing,” Thune said. “This isn’t a game for us — there are families waiting for paychecks, and agencies that can’t function.”
Tensions Flare Between the Parties
The impasse has grown increasingly personal between party leaders. Schumer has accused Thune and Senate Republicans of bowing to pressure from the White House and conservative activists, while Republicans accuse Schumer of “politicizing pain” for his own advantage.
Controversy deepened this week when Punchbowl News reported that Schumer privately told Democratic colleagues the shutdown was “getting better for us every day,” suggesting that Democrats could gain politically as public frustration turns toward the GOP.
“It’s because we’ve thought about this long in advance,” Schumer reportedly said. “We knew that health care would be the focal point on September 30, and we prepared for it.”
The remarks were quickly seized on by Republican leaders and the White House.
“Chuck Schumer just said the quiet part out loud,” Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said in a statement. “Democrats are gleefully inflicting pain on the American people over their push to give illegal aliens free health care. That’s unacceptable.”
The White House has urged Congress to pass a clean CR and reopen the government immediately, noting that ongoing disruptions are affecting everything from veterans’ benefits to federal loan processing and food assistance programs.
Protests and Political Strategy
Adding to the tension, several left-leaning activist groups — including organizations reportedly linked to financier George Soros, such as Indivisible — are planning large-scale rallies under the banner “No Kings” on October 18, calling for more progressive spending priorities and an end to what they describe as “Republican hostage tactics.”
Republican lawmakers allege that Schumer and other Democratic leaders are deliberately prolonging the shutdown to coincide with these demonstrations.
“They’ve got this big rally coming up Saturday,” Thune told Fox News. “Everybody thinks they want to get behind that before they do anything to open up the government.”
Democrats have dismissed those claims as unfounded, arguing that the focus should remain on negotiating a fair funding agreement that protects health care access and essential services.
The Human Cost of the Shutdown
As the standoff drags on, its impact is being felt across the country. Federal workers have missed their first paychecks. National parks and museums have closed. Delays are mounting in passport processing, IRS operations, and housing assistance programs.
The Office of Management and Budget has warned that if Congress does not act soon, mass layoffs could follow across several federal agencies.
President Donald Trump, whose administration has continued to press for swift resolution, directed the Pentagon last week to reallocate funds to ensure that military service members receive their October 15 paychecks on schedule — even as other federal workers go unpaid.
“We will always make sure our troops are taken care of,” a White House official said. “But the rest of the government cannot function indefinitely without congressional action.”
Meanwhile, Senate staffers and contractors face growing uncertainty about their own pay if the shutdown continues into another pay period.
Political Stakes Rising
Public opinion polls suggest that frustration is rising among Americans, with both parties facing potential backlash if the stalemate persists. Analysts say moderate Democrats could feel increasing pressure to break from leadership if constituents begin to demand immediate action.
Political strategists also point out that Thune — a measured and pragmatic figure within the GOP — could play a central role in brokering an eventual compromise. His public comments hint that quiet bipartisan talks may already be underway.
“Sometimes the most important work in Washington happens off-camera,” one Senate aide said. “Nobody wants to take the blame for a shutdown, and both sides are looking for a way out.”
For now, however, the gridlock remains. The Senate will convene Thursday for its ninth vote on the continuing resolution. Whether more Democrats cross the aisle this time may determine whether the shutdown finally ends — or drags deeper into fall.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
