WASHINGTON (AP) — The government shutdown stretched into its 40th day Sunday, even as senators remained in Washington for a grueling weekend session, hoping to find an end to the funding fight. The shutdown has disrupted flights nationwide, threatened food assistance for millions of Americans, and left federal workers without pay.

So far, the Senate has shown few signs of progress over what could be a crucial weekend for the shutdown fight. Republican leaders hope to hold votes on a new package of bills that would reopen the government through January while also approving full-year funding for several parts of the government. However, the necessary Democratic support for this effort remains far from guaranteed.

“We’re only a handful of votes away” from passing a bill to reopen the government, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Saturday. Still, Democratic leaders are pushing hard for an extension of subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.

Republicans have rejected that offer but have signaled openness to an emerging proposal from a small group of moderate Democrats. The proposal would end the shutdown in exchange for a later vote on the “Obamacare” subsidies, which make coverage more affordable.

For those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act exchanges, premiums are expected to more than double on average next year if Congress allows the enhanced subsidies to lapse.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said the pledge to hold a vote on extending the health care subsidies would be a “wasteful gesture” unless there is “the commitment of the speaker of the House that he will support it and that the president of the United States will sign it.”

President Donald Trump has made clear he is unlikely to compromise anytime soon. Over the weekend, he again pressed Republicans to get rid of the Senate’s filibuster rules, which prevent the chamber from advancing most legislation unless there is support from 60 senators.

### Moderates Continue to Negotiate

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and others have been negotiating among themselves and with some rank-and-file Republicans. They have discussed bills that would fund parts of government such as food aid, veterans programs, and the legislative branch, while extending funding for everything else until December or January.

This agreement would only come with the promise of a future health care vote, rather than a guarantee of extended subsidies. It remains unclear whether enough Democrats would support such a plan.

Even with a deal, President Trump appears unlikely to support an extension of the health benefits. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also said this past week that he would not commit to a health vote.

Republican leaders need only five additional votes to fund the government. The group involved in talks has ranged from 10 to 12 Democratic senators.

Some Republicans have expressed openness to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits, as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people. However, they want new limits on who can receive the subsidies. On Saturday, several lined up to take the Senate floor and argue that subsidies for the plans should be routed directly through individuals.

“We’re going to replace this broken system with something that is actually better for the consumer,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

### Republicans Eye New Package of Bills

President Trump wants Republicans to end the shutdown quickly and scrap the filibuster, which requires 60 Senate votes for most legislation, so they can bypass Democrats altogether.

Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio senator, endorsed the idea in an online post Saturday, saying Republicans who want to keep the filibuster are “wrong.”

Republicans have rejected Trump’s call, and Thune is considering a bipartisan package that mirrors the proposal moderate Democrats have been developing.

What Thune, who has refused to negotiate, might promise on health care is unknown. The package would replace the House-passed legislation that Democrats have rejected 14 times since the shutdown began on October 1. The current bill would extend government funding only until November 21.

### A Choice for Democrats

A test vote on new legislation could come in the next few days if Thune decides to move forward. Then Democrats will face a crucial choice: keep fighting for a meaningful deal on extending the subsidies that expire in January, thereby prolonging the pain of the shutdown; or vote to reopen the government and hope for the best as Republicans promise an eventual health care vote, but not a guaranteed outcome.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer persisted Saturday in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.

“Doing nothing is derelict because people will go bankrupt, people will lose insurance, people will get sicker,” Schumer said in a floor speech. “That’s what will happen if this Congress fails to act.”

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Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Joey Cappelletti, Mary Clare Jalonick, and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
https://wtop.com/government/2025/11/government-shutdown-reaches-its-40th-day-as-senators-work-through-a-crucial-weekend/