Senate leaders send letter to Trump, requesting a meeting to end the government shutdown.

According to a Xinhua News report, the US federal government “shutdown” has reached its 36th day, breaking the record of the 35-day shutdown from the end of 2018 to early 2019, making it the longest-lasting federal government shutdown in US history. The latest key development is that on November 5th, the Senate Democratic leader formally sent a letter to President Trump requesting a bipartisan meeting, marking a possible political breakthrough after a long deadlock.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries jointly sent a letter to President Trump, stating clearly: "We are writing to request a bipartisan legislative leaders’ meeting to end the Republican-caused government shutdown and decisively resolve the Republican healthcare crisis. Democrats are ready to meet with you face-to-face at any time."

The timing of this letter is noteworthy, coinciding with a series of Democratic victories in Tuesday’s elections. This proactive gesture suggests that in the new political environment, Democratic leaders may be seeking a strategy adjustment, aiming to end the shutdown—which has seriously impacted the economy and people’s livelihoods—through negotiations.

For investors, this means the likelihood of a breakthrough is rising. The core drivers come from two areas: First, divisions have emerged within the Democratic Party, with some moderate senators ready to break with party lines and cooperate with Republicans to reopen the government; Second, the massive weekly economic loss of $1.5 billion is putting great pressure on both parties. Although President Trump remains optimistic about long-term market performance, he also acknowledges the negative impact of the shutdown and urges a quick resolution.

Although the short-term outlook (according to Polymarket data, the chance it will end before November 11 is only 36%) remains uncertain, the shift in the political wind and the growing economic cost are creating conditions for a final solution. Investors should closely monitor the progress of bipartisan leader talks and concrete plans promoted by moderate senators; any substantial breakthrough could quickly boost market sentiment and ease short-term economic downside risks.

Breakthrough Signals: Moderate Democrats May Break Party Lines

One key driver for negotiations comes from within the Democratic Party. According to The Washington Post, a bipartisan group of senators is working on an agreement. Multiple sources revealed the core content: Congress passes three full fiscal-year appropriations bills to fund some agencies, and a short-term bill to reopen the rest. In exchange, Senate Republicans would agree to hold a vote on extending Obamacare (ACA) subsidies at a specific date.

The report cites three sources estimating that about a dozen Democratic senators are open to supporting the still-developing proposal. In the current Senate, Republicans have 53 seats and Democrats have 47. According to procedural rules, ending a filibuster to advance a bill requires 60 votes. This means Republicans need at least 8 Democratic votes. If a dozen Democrats are willing to cooperate, it far exceeds the number needed to break the deadlock and paves the way for reopening government.

Soaring Economic Cost: $1.5 Billion Lost Per Week, Shockwaves Across Multiple Sectors

The 36-day government shutdown is incurring economic costs that are increasingly impossible to ignore. Analysts estimate that the shutdown is costing the US economy between $1 billion and $3 billion per week, with most forecasts centered around $1.5 billion.

Specific impacts are showing up on multiple levels:

Frozen federal procurement: In the first month of the shutdown, about $24 billion in federal goods and services procurement spending has been frozen, directly impacting contractors and suppliers who depend on government contracts.Small business loan interruptions: As of October 21, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has blocked $2.5 billion in loans to 4,800 small businesses, cutting off many private enterprises’ cash flow.Food assistance affected: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), impacting 42 million people, is facing funding issues. Although the government says it will partly fund November benefits, coverage will only reach half the normal amount.Early childhood education disrupted: Funding for Head Start programs serving low-income families has been cut off, resulting in service loss for over 8,000 children and families.

Trump Admits Market Impact, Urges Quick End to Deadlock

WallstreetCN previously mentioned that President Trump himself has expressed concern about the negative impact of the shutdown. He acknowledged that the shutdown is negatively affecting the stock market, the airline industry, and SNAP food assistance, noting that it is having a “minor impact” on the market. While he remains optimistic that US stocks will hit new highs, he is also strongly urging Republicans to immediately end the “filibuster” process so that bills can be passed quickly and the government reopened.

As of November 5, temporary funding bills to end the government shutdown have failed in the Senate 14 times due to lack of a 60-vote majority. This highlights the current legislative impasse and explains why direct talks between party leaders and bipartisan efforts by moderate senators have become so critical.

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