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But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) rejected the offer, calling it a "non-starter.""I think it's an indication that they're feeling the heat, and they know that their last proposal was unserious and unrealistic," Thune told reporters. "I just don't think that it gets anywhere close to what we need to do here."Thune has kept lawmakers on Capitol Hill for a rare Friday session — and could hold votes over the weekend on opening the government. What they are saying: "Democrats are offering a very simple compromise," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health care affordability." The proposal has been pushed internally by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), a key moderate negotiator, sources told Axios. Between the lines: After Thune rejected Schumer's offer, a group of senators quickly moved to restart their bipartisan talks to end the shutdown, according to a person familiar with the matter. Zoom in: The Democratic offer includes adding the ACA tax credit extensions to a package of appropriations bills and a short-term spending bill. Democrats are also proposing a bipartisan committee to continue negotiations on long-term reforms to address health care affordability.The proposal has broad support within the Democratic caucus, multiple sources said, including from some senators who've pressed for their party to hold out longer. Driving the news: Following Schumer's offer, Senate Republicans are scheduled to meet at the Capitol this afternoon, sources told Axios. Thune told reporters the Senate would "roll into the weekend," indicating that a Friday vote on the stop-gap measure was unlikely.Appropriators have still been working on finalizing the text for the appropriations package, which is part of Republicans' latest offer. Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
