The longest shutdown, 35 days, occurred during President Donald Trump's first term in late 2018 and into 2019. Senate Democrats have refused to vote for a short-term measure to fund the government,

Democrats appear to oppose the idea, while Republicans suggest a long-term stopgap bill is possible if government does not reopen soon.

The government shutdown is now the third-longest funding lapse in modern history, and the Senate won't meet until Monday.

Senate Republicans worry that Senate Democrats are creating a new blueprint for future funding fights but aren't ready to negotiate with on demands until after the government reopens.

Paul's comments come as the Senate has failed to pass a government funding measure that would reopen the government and allow federal workers to be paid.

Nov. 1, the start of open enrollment for health insurance, could give Senate Democrats an off-ramp opportunity to reopen the government.