Weekend session gets off to slow start in Senate as lawmakers look for a way out of shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate’s first weekend session since the beginning of the shutdown yielded few signs of progress Saturday as Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s wish for a quick vote never materialized.

The impasse that has lasted 39 days is taking an increasing toll on the country as federal workers go unpaid , airlines cancel flights and SNAP benefits have been delayed for millions of Americans .