The government shutdown, now the longest in American history, may finally be coming to an end. After 13 failed attempts to pass a short-term funding bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism that Congress can reopen the government this week. However, there's a catch: the House-approved bill only funds the government through November 21st. Thune emphasizes that this date must change, aiming to send a bill back to the House that actually reopens the government. He states, 'I think that would be the objective here, is to try and get something that we could send back to the House that would open up the government.' House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed a similar sentiment, noting that GOP leaders are working against the clock as the current bill's expiration date approaches. Johnson said, 'We're very mindful of the calendar. We're very frustrated by that. It's part of the reason we're so angry about this, because they're eating up the clock.' The Senate is expected to vote again today on the short-term bill. If it fails, tomorrow will mark the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
