Inside Thune's logjam

• At least one problem was solved: Senators were able to start voting on the first slate of annual appropriations bills Friday afternoon.
• There had been bipartisan holdups from senators who wanted a separate vote on a bill providing funding for the legislative branch, which they will now get.

Zoom in: But the bigger issue of nominations still looms over senators' weekend and August plans.

• Thune met with Trump on Thursday but left without a solid path forward.
• On Thursday night, Trump posted to his Truth Social account that the Senate "must stay in Session, taking no recess, until the entire Executive Calendar is CLEAR!!!"
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, is demanding that the White House release withheld funds and insisting on a smaller package of nominees in exchange for Democrats' sign-off to move faster.

What we're hearing: Mostly, there's unhappiness. Here's a smattering of texts from Senate staffers:

• "This is hell"
• "Vibes are bad"
• "Ok three paths here… None of them are great"

Zoom out: Republicans have already been threatening a nuclear option — using their majority to change chamber rules and fast-track nominations.

• The longer negotiations drag out, the better that option sounds.
• Thune could also force senators to keep voting deep into August — and hope four GOP senators don't decide to bail anyway.
• Or leadership folds to Schumer and tired senators and goes into recess, risking Trump's wrath.