As the partial government shutdown enters its second week, Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-SD) says momentum is quietly building among Democrats to break ranks with their leadership and vote with Republicans to end the stalemate.
So far, only three members of the Democratic caucus — Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Senator Angus King (I-ME), who caucuses with Democrats — have supported the Republican-backed funding proposal. But according to Thune, that number may soon rise.
Speaking Tuesday on Fox News, Thune claimed that “at least two more Democrats” are now considering joining Republicans in voting to fund the government through late November.
“We’re only stuck as long as a handful of Democrats decide they want to follow the leader and play politics rather than do the right thing on behalf of the American people,” Thune said. “That’s where we are — it’s time to reopen the government.”
A Shutdown with Growing Consequences
The ongoing shutdown began after congressional leaders failed to reach an agreement on a temporary spending bill before the previous budget deadline expired. The House, controlled by Republicans, passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through November 21. The measure included no major policy riders — a “clean” bill that would simply extend funding at current levels.
But in the Senate, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has so far prevented most of his caucus from supporting the legislation, insisting instead on a broader budget agreement that includes additional domestic spending priorities.
The result has been a stalemate that’s left hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay, while key government services — from food safety inspections to housing assistance — face disruptions.
Thune: ‘We’re Close, But Not There Yet’
According to Thune, Republicans currently have 55 votes in favor of reopening the government — a number that includes the three Democrats who have already crossed party lines. To reach the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a Senate filibuster, at least five more Democrats would need to join them.
“We have 55 of 100 senators ready to vote yes,” Thune said. “All we need is five more Democrats. It’s not a big ask — it’s about doing what’s right for the country.”
Thune accused Schumer and Democratic leadership of putting politics ahead of governance, arguing that their resistance is driven more by ideology than policy.
“Their leadership seems intent on appeasing the far-left base instead of helping Americans who are suffering because of this shutdown,” he said.
Pressure Mounts Inside the Democratic Party
Behind the scenes, several Democrats — especially those in swing states — are said to be feeling the pressure from frustrated constituents. Rising living costs, delayed government payments, and economic uncertainty have made the shutdown politically risky for lawmakers in competitive districts.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, some moderate Democrats have quietly reached out to Republican senators to explore compromise options, though none have publicly confirmed their intentions.
Senator Cortez Masto, one of the first Democrats to back the GOP proposal, said her decision was motivated by the impact the shutdown was having on Nevada families.
“I won’t make things worse for my constituents,” she said earlier this week. “A shutdown means more hardship for workers, small businesses, and veterans in my state — and that’s unacceptable.”
Senator Fetterman has also been outspoken about the need to keep the government running, saying he’s not afraid to disagree with party leadership.
“I don’t care about partisan games,” Fetterman told reporters. “If it’s the right thing to do for Pennsylvania, that’s how I’ll vote.”
Rand Paul Remains the Lone GOP Holdout
Interestingly, not all Republicans are united on the issue. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) remains the only GOP member opposed to the current funding bill. Paul has argued that the measure continues reckless spending without addressing the national debt.
“We cannot keep kicking the can down the road,” Paul said in a statement. “Another temporary fix does nothing to solve the underlying fiscal crisis.”
Still, Thune said he believes Paul’s opposition will not prevent eventual passage. “If enough Democrats join us, this bill will pass,” he noted.
Public Frustration Rising
Public opinion polls show growing frustration among Americans as the shutdown drags on. Federal employees across multiple agencies — including the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Park Service — have been affected by furloughs and missed paychecks.
Small businesses that depend on federal contracts are also beginning to feel the strain, while public safety officials warn that extended funding lapses could impact disaster response and military readiness.
“Every day this goes on, the damage gets worse,” Thune said. “This isn’t about politics — it’s about keeping the lights on for the country.”
A Glimmer of Bipartisan Cooperation?
If Thune’s prediction proves accurate and additional Democrats cross party lines, the Senate could advance the bill as early as next week. That would mark a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation in a sharply divided Congress.
However, even if the Senate passes the measure, the political fight over long-term spending priorities is far from over. Lawmakers would still need to negotiate a full-year budget before the short-term funding expires in late November.
White House officials have signaled support for reopening the government but have also encouraged Congress to address what they describe as “critical unmet needs” in areas such as childcare, housing, and border management.
What Comes Next
For now, both parties appear to be waiting to see whether more Democrats will break ranks. Republican leaders say they will bring the measure up for another vote as soon as they have the numbers.
“We’ll keep trying,” Thune said. “Every day we’re talking to senators who know their constituents are suffering. At some point, common sense has to prevail.”
Meanwhile, Schumer’s office maintains that Democrats are united in seeking a broader solution that prevents “governing by crisis.” A spokesperson for the minority leader said the Republican bill “fails to address the real challenges facing working families” and accused the GOP of “using shutdown threats as leverage.”
Still, with public pressure building and bipartisan negotiations quietly progressing, some on Capitol Hill believe a breakthrough could come soon.
“The political walls are starting to crack,” one Senate aide said. “Everyone knows this can’t go on forever.”