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The U.S. Senate convened for a rare weekend session as the federal government shutdown entered its 39th day, but signs of an imminent breakthrough to end the protracted impasse remain scarce. While the session signals urgency, Democratic and Republican leaders appear no closer to a compromise, leaving federal workers without pay and essential services under strain.
Negotiations have been defined by a significant gap between the two parties. An offer from Senate Democrats on Friday to end the shutdown in exchange for a one-year extension of health care tax credits was part of an effort to find a middle ground. However, the proposal was swiftly rejected by Republicans, underscoring the deep divisions that lawmakers are struggling to overcome. Both sides are hoping to find a bipartisan resolution that has so far eluded them, but no new votes on a continuing resolution were immediately scheduled.
The real-world consequences of the shutdown are intensifying. The aviation sector has been particularly affected, with airlines canceling over 800 flights on Friday alone to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers, who are among the federal employees working without pay. The prolonged deadlock is also causing significant disruptions to public services, with millions of Americans facing new delays in receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
As senators continue their discussions through the weekend, the pressure to find a solution mounts. The shutdown's growing impact on the economy, travel, and social safety nets is increasing the stakes for lawmakers to bridge their differences and restore government funding.
