Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced on Thursday that weekend votes in the Senate are "unlikely," indicating the government shutdown will extend into the following week. Thune's statement sets the stage for continued disruption as political divisions prevent a resolution.

“They’ll have a fourth chance tomorrow to vote to open up the government, and if that fails, we’ll give them the weekend to think about it, and then we’ll come back and vote on Monday,” Thune explained to the press. This approach suggests a strategic pause, giving legislators additional time to consider their positions amidst growing public and political pressure.

As the shutdown entered its second day, the deadlock between Congress and the White House showed no signs of easing. While Thune expressed openness to discussions with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, he remained skeptical about achieving an immediate breakthrough. Schumer, on the other hand, urged Republicans to collaborate with Democrats to formulate a plan that not only reopens the government but also addresses rising healthcare costs.

Despite the urgency conveyed by both parties, Thune firmly stated that negotiations over the substantive elements of a deal to continue Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies would not proceed while the government remains closed. He emphasized, “it all starts with reopening the government,” indicating that the reopening is a precondition for further substantive discussions.

Meanwhile, some Democrats proposed compromises that might lead to a resolution, such as passing full-year appropriations bills or opting for a shorter continuation from the seven-week stopgap bill passed by the House. However, Thune dismissed these as minor quibbles, particularly the debate over setting the expiration date to November 1 to coincide with the HealthCare.gov open enrollment period, instead of the November 21 deadline.

Thune also categorically rejected the possibility of a straightforward extension of the ACA subsidies, a central issue in the negotiations. His stance underscores the complexities involved in reaching a bipartisan agreement under the current circumstances.

As the shutdown continues, the impact on federal services and employees mounts, with both parties under increasing pressure to find a middle ground. The coming days are critical as the nation watches and waits for its leaders to navigate out of the impasse.