


Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is hopeful Republicans will convince Democrats to vote to reopen the government, with senators reconvening Wednesday morning.
The government funding resolution passed the House but stalled in the Senate, 55-45, with a 60-vote requirement. Three Democrats voted for the bill and one Republican voted against it.
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“I am hoping there are enough reasonable Democrats over there,” Thune told Fox News. “We picked up three tonight. … We’re going to vote on it again tomorrow. Hopefully, we’re going to pick up some more and eventually, we’ll get enough to pass this thing in the Senate and keep the government open,” he added.
He added that he believes the left wing of the Democratic Party pressured congressional leaders to shut down the government.
.@LeaderJohnThune: I am hoping there are enough reasonable Democrats over there. We picked up 3 tonight… we’re going to vote on it again tomorrow. Hopefully, we’re going to pick up some more and eventually, we’ll get enough to pass this thing and keep the government OPEN. pic.twitter.com/1vjPFofjAH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 1, 2025
Thune said he expects more resistance from Democrats but believes “people are going to start cracking because they’re going to realize this is a losing hand.”
It’s unclear how Democrats will vote, but the urgency of a government shutdown could prod them into voting in the affirmative at some point.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told CNN that it’s “damn right” that he will vote “no” every time the resolution comes up without Democratic healthcare concessions.
“Damn right. … I will not let tens of thousands of fellow Americans die because they’re thrown off healthcare,” he said.
Even if Republicans convince Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the only Republican to vote against the resolution, they would still need four more Democrats to vote for the bill. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Angus King (I-ME) approved of the bill Tuesday.
SORO-BACKED GROUP BEHIND ‘NO KINGS’ PROTESTS PRESSURING SENATE DEMOCRATS INTO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
The government is set to shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.
Senators will return to the chamber at 10 a.m. the same day.