GOP Says Shutdown Ending?
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says he’s “optimistic” that Congress can finally reach a deal to end the government shutdown and get federal workers back on the job — signaling a rare moment of progress in a divided Washington.
Thune told reporters Monday that while he’s not fully confident yet, he senses growing cooperation after a weekend of bipartisan talks among lawmakers determined to restore stability to the nation’s finances.
“From my experience and instincts, it feels like we’re nearing a breakthrough,” Thune said at the Capitol. “Our aim is to deliver something the House can approve so we can reopen the government and get the country moving forward again.”
GOP Seeks Stability and Fiscal Responsibility
Republicans, led by Thune, are exploring a short-term spending plan that could extend into January, giving Congress time to negotiate a stronger, long-term budget deal.
The House-passed bill, which only funded government operations through late November, is no longer realistic — a reflection of how Democrat-led delays and political gamesmanship have stalled real progress.
“That date’s lost,” Thune acknowledged. “We just don’t have time to finish full-year appropriations before then. A January timeline gives us a longer runway — and that’s better for everyone.”
By extending funding into early 2025, Republicans hope to avoid another holiday shutdown showdown and focus instead on restoring fiscal sanity after years of reckless spending in Washington.
Elections Create Political Hurdles
Thune noted that upcoming elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City are creating distractions for some lawmakers, slowing the pace of negotiations.
“It seems like that matters,” he said, hinting that political posturing is still standing in the way of meaningful progress.
Conservatives see the shutdown debate as a test of leadership — whether Washington can put taxpayers before politics and deliver a government that works for the people again.
No Vacation if the Job Isn’t Done
Thune also warned that the Senate’s scheduled recess may be canceled if lawmakers fail to reach a deal this week.
“We have to leave all options on the table,” he said. “If we don’t start seeing some progress by midweek, it’s hard to see how we finish anything before the end of the week.”
Republicans are signaling they’re ready to stay in Washington as long as it takes to reopen the government and rein in wasteful spending.
Bottom Line
For conservatives, Thune’s tone reflects a renewed push for accountability, discipline, and leadership in a capital too often paralyzed by partisanship.
With the Biden administration facing criticism over inflation, debt, and foreign policy, the Senate GOP’s call for a longer-term solution may be exactly what Americans over 50 — those who remember what responsible governance looks like — have been waiting to hear.
