Republican Division Over Stopgap Spending Bill Intensifies as Government Shutdown Hits 36 Days
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) talks briefly with reporters at the U.S. Capitol on September 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Johnson answered questions about security for members of Congress following the assassination of conservative pundit and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Republican negotiators remain divided over how long a stopgap spending bill should last as the government shutdown stretched into its 36th day. The House-passed continuing resolution would fund the government only through Nov. 21, and there’s still no end in sight. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told news outlets that discussions continue, with arguments for extending funding to January or Dec. 19. Mullin, an appropriator and ally of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted the debate remains unresolved. Thune stated the Nov. 21 date is “lost” and emphasized the need to determine a new timeline. At a Senate Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon, Sens. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Jerry Moran of Kansas supported a late December deadline, while Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Eric Schmitt of Missouri advocated for January. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed reluctance toward extending funding into December but acknowledged the viability of a January timeline. The shutdown’s 36 days are the longest in U.S. history. Democratic lawmakers have insisted that any deal address health care concerns, while Republicans argue such negotiations can occur after government operations resume. Key issues include Affordable Care Act tax credits and Medicaid cuts from President Donald Trump’s summer spending package.
