Senators and Trump administration officials are signaling the impeachment trial could spill over into next week.

The timeline is largely dependent on two things: how long senators want to deliberate and the level of cooperation between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOcasio-Cortez to voters: Tell McConnell 'he is playing with fire' with Ginsburg's seat McConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Video shows NYC subway station renamed after Ruth Bader Ginsburg MORE (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerRepublican senator says plans to confirm justice before election 'completely consistent with the precedent' Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year MORE (D-N.Y.) — which has been in short supply during the trial so far.

“It’s a possibility that this could extend on another day or so,” said Sen. Mike Rounds Marion (Mike) Michael RoundsChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Senate GOP eyes early exit Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (R-S.D.) when asked about the possibility of the trial continuing into next week.

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The trial was already expected to go until early Saturday morning. Because of the impeachment trial rules, if the proceedings go past Saturday it would automatically roll over into Monday, the same day as the Iowa caucuses.

Rounds, when asked what could slow down the proceedings, said there were some “time constraints,” including how many members want to take 15 minutes to make a statement on the Senate floor.

Sen. John Cornyn John CornynCalls grow for Biden to expand election map in final sprint Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Chamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection MORE (R-Texas) told reporters he would be “surprised” if the trial wrapped up on Friday and that without cooperation it could drag on for days.

It could “carry us over to the first part of next week,” Cornyn said.

Democrats began to echo that expectation after a closed-door caucus lunch.



Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Barrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states MORE (D-Va.) noted that the schedule was a "work in progress," but hinted they'll be continuing the trial next week.



"Yes, it's possible," he said. "I think that is kind of the default right now."

Sen. Roy Blunt Roy Dean BluntMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, told reporters after a closed-door caucus lunch that the timing of the end of the trial wasn't locked down.

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McConnell, according to Blunt, is expected to offer a resolution that lays out the process for wrapping up that proceeding. The original rules provide few guidelines about how the chamber gets from the witness vote to final votes.

He stressed that he had "no best guesses" about if the trial ends by Saturday or gets delayed. He noted that it was "certainly a possibility" that Republicans will hold a caucus meeting after a witness vote later Friday to determine what schedule 51 senators would support.

"I think that's what we have to decide," he said, asked about the potential the trial would go into next week. "Whether you can get everything done you need to get done and have a sense that you had plenty of time."

Sen. John Barrasso John Anthony BarrassoMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (R-Wyo.) told reporters during a break that McConnell is expected to offer a resolution that would lay out the path for closing arguments, speeches from senators and the final votes.

A resolution offered by McConnell to set up how the trial ends would be debatable. That means, similar to the rules resolution, Democrats could force hours upon hours of votes. Republicans could table any proposals with a simple majority.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he had no deal with McConnell on how to end the trial. But he indicated the proceedings might drag out as senators looked to explain their votes.



"We do not want this rushed through. We do not want it in the dark of night. Members have an obligation to tell the American people ... why they are voting. So we are going to use whatever power we have to prevent it from being rushed through," Schumer said.

A GOP aide stressed that the trial schedule was “in flux.”

A spokesman for McConnell said there was no guidance on the schedule beyond Friday’s witness vote.



A senior administration official told The Hill that it appeared the Senate would move toward voting on a procedural resolution laying out the rules for the trial’s conclusion after the witness vote, rather than an immediate up-or-down vote on whether to convict or acquit.



That could mean a verdict is not reached until next week. The official indicated that the situation is fluid and could change as Friday's proceedings continue.



Republicans have been prepared to continue the trial into Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Sen. John Thune John Randolph ThuneWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine, masks MORE (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters Thursday that there were several senators on both sides of the aisle who either wanted to be able to discuss their votes in closed session or potentially publicly on the floor.

Delaying the trial would have serious ramifications for Democratic presidential candidates, who have been planning to swing through Iowa ahead of the state's caucuses on Monday.

Tuesday, meanwhile, is when Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address to Congress.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharBattle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates Klobuchar: GOP can't use 'raw political power right in middle of an election' MORE (D-Minn.), one of four senators seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, brought up the speculation that the trial could go into next week, saying, “I just say bring it on.”

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“My view is that the people of Iowa and beyond will understand,” she said.

Even amid the chatter about a delayed end to the trial, some GOP senators signaled they want to get it over with.

“I don’t know, but it couldn’t come sooner for me,” Sen. Bill Cassidy William (Bill) Morgan CassidyCoushatta tribe begins long road to recovery after Hurricane Laura Senators offer disaster tax relief bill Bottom line MORE (R-La.) told reporters who asked when he thought it would end.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-S.C) said extending the trial would be a “mistake.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Braun Michael BraunPessimism grows as hopes fade for coronavirus deal McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package Patient Protection Pledge offers price transparency MORE (R-Ind.) said he was “disappointed” in talk of delaying the trial until Wednesday, which he said he had heard from his staff.

Updated at 4:06 p.m.