Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced on Saturday that senators will remain in session until they reach an agreement to end the government shutdown, now stretching into its 39th day. Despite the lack of consensus, Thune emphasized the urgency of finding a resolution.

When questioned about whether lawmakers would remain in Washington until a deal is secured, Thune confirmed they would. Although the Senate had planned to recess for Veterans Day, those plans have been put on hold to focus on resolving the impasse.

Thune’s comments came during an unusual Saturday session for the Senate, following a series of twists and turns in negotiations on Friday.

On Friday, Democrats offered a proposal for a one-year extension of enhanced healthcare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of December. This was included with a clean continuing resolution and a “minibus,” a package containing three full-year spending bills.

However, Republicans quickly dismissed this proposal. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of lawmakers continued discussions throughout the night. Thune noted that their immediate objective is to finalize the text of the minibus and aim for a vote over the weekend.

Thune added that bipartisan talks that took place overnight have been “positive.” 

“The question is whether we can have everything ready to go,” Thune said, noting that he’s been in discussions with appropriators about minibus text. “We’re getting close to having it ready. Ideally, it’d be great to set it up so we could vote today, but we have to … have the votes to actually pass it.” 

“I don’t have anything for you in terms of a definitive time frame except to say that text has to get out and then we’ve got to hope we have the necessary votes,” he added. 

The GOP leader also declined to say when the proposed short-term continuing resolution will run through. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told reporters that consensus has emerged in the conference around a Jan. 30 end-date. 

Prior to the Democratic push toward a deal featuring a one-year tax credit extension, negotiators were discussing the contours of a deal centered around a new continuing resolution, an attached minibus and a vote on a bill to extend the tax credits. Thune has been adamant that he can guarantee Democrats a “process,” but not an “outcome” that involves passing a tax credit extension.