Republicans have extended a new proposal to Senate Democrats, aiming to resolve the ongoing 37-day government shutdown while moving forward on a trio of full-year spending bills. This development comes just as Democratic senators prepare for a critical strategy meeting, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

In a move to sweeten the deal, the GOP has introduced the possibility of reinstating federal employees who were dismissed during the shutdown, addressing a major concern for Democrats. The specifics of this rehiring process remain under negotiation, but its inclusion marks a significant shift in the Republican stance.

The spending package in question encompasses appropriations for the Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and Legislative Branch. While securing these bills would not immediately reopen the government, it represents a crucial step towards a broader agreement that includes a stopgap spending bill to temporarily restore government operations.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed the submission of the GOP's proposal but withheld specific details. The offer, however, does not tackle the looming expiration of insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, a primary sticking point for Democrats.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a prominent figure in the negotiations, emphasized the importance of ensuring that laid-off federal workers can return to their positions. “We need to make sure that federal employees who have been RIFed are able to come back to work,” she stated, highlighting the human element at the heart of the policy debate.

Negotiations have been tense and protracted, with bipartisan efforts intensifying after the Senate passed its versions of the funding bills in August. The proposed legislative package aims to secure funding through next September for vital programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with a temporary spending fix to end the shutdown but maintain current funding levels for the remainder of the government for a few additional months.

As discussions continue, the impact of the shutdown and the potential for reversing layoffs remain central to reaching a compromise that both parties can endorse. The coming days will be critical in shaping the outcome of these negotiations and determining the immediate future of countless federal employees and the services they provide.