Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked the House-passed short-term funding bill for the 10th time, guaranteeing that the government shutdown—now entering its 16th day—will continue. With little momentum toward compromise, the Senate adjourned for an extended weekend without a clear path forward.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R‑S.D.) has pledged to persist in bringing the House’s continuing resolution (CR), which would fund the government through November 21, to the Senate floor. Some Republicans are considering altering its expiration date to gain more support. However, the House is in recess, so any changes would require it to reconvene and re-pass the measure.

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have resisted a “clean” CR without negotiations. They demand linkage with health care issues—especially the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Schumer has declined to negotiate publicly on the CR as presented, accusing Republicans of refusing serious dialogue. Republicans counter that Democrats are holding federal workers hostage over unrelated priorities.

At the same time, Republicans are making procedural maneuvers to restart appropriations work. Thune introduced a procedural vote on the defense funding bill, hoping to breathe life into stalled negotiations. While most Democrats opposed it, three—Senators John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Angus King—broke ranks, arguing that reopening the government must come before broader policy debates.

But the impasse remains deeply entrenched. Without the 60 votes needed in the Senate, GOP leaders are unable to advance the House-passed CR. Democrats continue insisting that any reopening be paired with commitments on health care, while Republicans maintain that funding must come first. The likelihood of resolution before critical upcoming deadlines — including ACA enrollment — is growing ever more uncertain.