The U.S. Senate failed once again Tuesday to advance a Republican-backed continuing resolution that would have reopened the federal government, marking the 14th unsuccessful attempt to end the shutdown that has now become the longest in American history.
Senate Dems BLOCKED our 14th vote to end the Schumer Shutdown.
Final vote: 54-44.
It takes 60 votes to pass a funding bill, unless there’s a change to the filibuster.
Spoke on that earlier today. https://t.co/i5Rlo8GQkL [1] pic.twitter.com/t9UgWueyQK [2]
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) November 4, 2025 [3]
The vote came as the shutdown tied the 35-day record set in 2019 and officially surpassed [4] it by the evening.
Despite a growing sense of fatigue across party lines, Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refused to advance the House-passed resolution, holding firm to their demands for an agreement that includes an extension of expiring Obamacare subsidies.
During remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer blamed Republicans and President Donald Trump for rising healthcare costs that Americans are facing this year.
“The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own,” Schumer said.
“That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.”
While Schumer’s caucus remains largely united, signs of strain have emerged.
Nearly a dozen Senate Democrats met privately Monday to discuss possible exit strategies to end the standoff, reflecting growing concern among lawmakers about the impact of the prolonged shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans remain willing to negotiate but criticized Democrats for refusing to separate the healthcare issue from the effort to reopen the government.
“Republicans have offered multiple options, including guaranteeing a vote on the expiring subsidies, or whatever their Obamacare bill is, after the government reopens,” Thune said.
When asked if a deal was close, he replied, “I hope close.”
Thune acknowledged that both parties face increasing pressure as the shutdown drags on.
“The pressures, the cross pressures that everybody’s feeling, are great,” he said.
“But I think there are people who realize this has gone on long enough and that there’s been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it’s time to end it.”
The current House-passed continuing resolution funds the government through November 21, but many lawmakers say that timeline is too short to complete the necessary appropriations work.
Some members are considering an amended version of the resolution to extend funding further, possibly into December or January, to allow time to finalize spending bills and avoid another closure.
Others have floated a smaller “minibus” spending package that could be paired with an extension.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has participated in bipartisan negotiations since the shutdown began, said he remains hopeful that progress can be made.
“I don’t know, I hope so,” Rounds said when asked if the shutdown could end this week.
“Bottom line is they can stop all this with one vote and get back into it and get back to work on a bipartisan basis. Again, that’s what we’re hoping.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has also been active in bipartisan talks and presented a proposal to extend Obamacare subsidies for two years.
She noted that because insurers have already finalized rates for open enrollment, “it would be really, really hard to do any reforms right now.” Murkowski said her plan is one of several being discussed, focusing on adjustments to income thresholds and premium contributions.
“There’s no highly brand-new thing that anybody’s really talking about,” she said.
“It’s just what’s the right concoction?”
Several Senate Democrats, however, have expressed frustration with President Trump’s limited engagement in negotiations.
Trump has stated he will not meet with Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., until the government reopens.
Over the weekend, the President urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster rule, a proposal unlikely to gain traction.
“At no point since Oct. 1 has Donald Trump agreed to sit down with Democratic leaders,” Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said.
“So, he can talk all he wants about the filibuster, but until he actually puts some skin in the game and sits down and talks to us, that is all meaningless to me. And I honestly don’t care about him pontificating this stuff on social media. Like, if he’s got time to tweet, he’s got time to just come and talk to us.”
With negotiations continuing and partisan divisions still deep, lawmakers from both sides acknowledge the need to find a solution soon to end the historic shutdown and restore government operations.