Senators will not be released to go home until the shutdown, now on its 39th day, is brought to an end.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) will keep the Senate in session until a government funding deal is struck, he told reporters at the Capitol during a rare Saturday session.

Despite the House passing a clean continuing resolution (CR) in September to keep the government open through November 21, the Senate has continued to leave town on weekends, while Democrats have blocked that bill, forcing and prolonging what is now the longest government shutdown in history. The House has not convened while awaiting Senate action on the House-passed CR, resulting in all eyes in Washington focused on the Senate’s action – or inaction.

Democrat Senators, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schu

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