00:00We may finally be seeing an end in sight to what's now tied as the longest government shutdown in American history.
00:09After 13 failed attempts to pass a short-term funding bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he's optimistic Congress can reopen the government this week.
00:18But there's a catch. The House-approved bill only funds the government through November 21st.
00:24Thune says that date has to change.
00:26Quote, 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.
00:34House Speaker Mike Johnson struck a similar tone at a news conference Monday, saying GOP leaders are working against the clock as the current bill's expiration date nears.
00:43We're very mindful of the calendar. We're very frustrated by that.
00:47It's part of the reason we're so angry about this, because they're eating up the clock and the Democrats know how much more we have to do here this year.
00:53But we cannot do it if the government's not opened and not serving the people.
00:57And so this is a very important matter. It's something that we're giving all of our attention to.
01:02Our leaders will go and meet on the calendar right now.
01:05The Senate is expected to vote again today on that short-term bill.
01:09If it fails, tomorrow will mark the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
01:13Music
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