Thune hopeful GOP will pick up enough Democratic votes to reopen government
The article reports that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is optimistic that Republicans can secure enough Democratic votes to reopen the government and avoid a shutdown. Although the House passed the government funding resolution, the Senate vote fell short, wiht a 55-45 vote where 60 votes were needed to pass it. Three Democrats supported the bill, and one Republican opposed it. Thune expressed hope that additional moderate Democrats would support the measure when it is voted on again, emphasizing that pressure from the left wing of the Democratic Party is contributing to the standoff. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated he will continue to oppose the resolution unless healthcare concessions for Democrats are included. Despite this resistance, Thune believes pressure from the looming government shutdown-set to begin at midnight-may prompt more Senators to vote in favor. Senators are scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m. Wednesday to vote again.
Thune hopeful GOP will pick up enough Democratic votes to reopen government
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.
“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.
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