Democrats refuse to end pain for Americans as shutdown reaches historic milestone

Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ try to reopen the federal government for the fourteenth time, making the federal government shutdown the longest in US historical past.

The transfer to as soon as once more reject the Home-passed Continuation Decision (CR) comes at a time when a wind of optimism and exhaustion is blowing by way of the Senate. Lawmakers are more and more partaking in bipartisan conversations, and increasingly lawmakers consider an exit is in sight.

Nonetheless, the vote towards the CR got here on Tuesday morning because the shutdown tied the earlier document of 35 days set in 2019, and all of it however ensured that that unlucky milestone can be surpassed later within the night.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BECOMES THE LONGEST IN US HISTORY AS Democrats dig into OBAMACARE

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his Democratic caucus are sticking to their weapons. (Jim Watson/AFP through Getty Photographs)

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his Democratic caucus are nonetheless largely entrenched of their place that they won’t reopen the federal government until an ironclad deal is reached on the expiration of Obamacare subsidies.

Talking on the Senate flooring, Schumer positioned the blame for the well being care concern squarely on Republicans and President Donald Trump as Individuals confronted bulletins of upper premiums this weekend.

“The one plan Republicans have for well being care appears to be to abolish it, after which inform working individuals to determine it out for themselves,” he stated. “That is not a well being care plan. That is merciless.’

Nonetheless, his caucus’ resolve confirmed indicators of weakening on Monday, as a gaggle of practically a dozen Senate Democrats met behind closed doorways to debate a means out.

Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., stated he was optimistic the shutdown would finish quickly, however he was not assured that might be the case by the tip of this week.

He famous that Republicans have made a plethora of choices accessible to Senate Democrats, together with guaranteeing a vote on the expiring subsidies, or “no matter their Obamacare invoice is,” after the federal government reopens. When requested if he believed lawmakers have been near an finish, he stated, “I hope it is shut.”

SENATE REPUBLICANS PLANS LONGER-TERM FUNDING BILL AS GOVERNMENT LOCKOUT CONTINUES

Senate Majority Chief John Thune speaks throughout a information convention with Senate Republican leaders after a coverage luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 28, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)

“However the stress, the cross-pressure that everybody feels is nice,” Thune stated. “However I believe there are individuals who notice that this has gone on lengthy sufficient and sufficient ache has been inflicted on the American individuals, and it is time to put an finish to it. So we’ll see if, you understand, there’s sufficient numbers.”

Then there’s the fact that the present Nov. 21 deadline for the Home-passed CR does not give lawmakers sufficient time to advance funding payments, which has been a key purpose for Thune and others. And many do not wish to reopen the federal government, solely to see it shut down once more a couple of weeks later.

Lawmakers are contemplating increasing the present CR, both by amending it or with a brand new invoice, which might give them sufficient time to finalize spending and keep away from a colossal omnibus invoice on the finish of the yr. Some are trying ahead to January, whereas others want an extension till December. A trio of spending payments, often called a minibus, may be tied to the revamped enlargement.

These talks are going down in parallel with the discussions about Obamacare, however neither facet has but taken the step to appreciate a full exit from the shutdown.

Requested whether or not he believed the shutdown might finish this week, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has routinely engaged in bipartisan talks because the shutdown started, stated, “I do not know, I hope so.”

“The underside line is, with one vote, they’ll cease this all and get again to it and get again to work on a bipartisan foundation,” he stated. “Once more, that is what we hope.”

Each side acknowledge that altering the subsidies, both by way of reforms or by influencing charges, shall be tough, with insurers already releasing charges and steerage this weekend in keeping with the beginning of open enrollment.

SENATE RETURNS TO WORK AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS NEARLY THE LONGEST IN US HISTORY OVER OBAMACARE FIGHT

President Donald Trump awaits the arrival of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the White Home in Washington, October 20, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs)

Nonetheless, lawmakers are discussing a means ahead with the subsidies. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has been concerned in bipartisan talks, stated her proposal for the grants would lengthen them for 2 years.

She famous that it might be “actually, actually tough to make reforms at this level” as a result of insurance coverage charges had been launched and her proposal was one among many within the combine.

Finally, it’s going to come all the way down to the correct mix of concepts to construct an off-ramp for the grants. Murkowski stated altering the earnings cap, which was eradicated when subsidies have been elevated beneath former President Joe Biden, and adjustments to the low-cost premium contribution have been only a few concepts on the desk.

“There’s nothing actually new that anybody is de facto speaking about,” she stated. “It simply relies upon, what’s the proper brew?”

However some Senate Democrats are annoyed that Trump has not turn into extra concerned and argue that until he provides an specific inexperienced gentle, any deal made on the Hill will not matter.

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Trump has agreed to not meet with Schumer and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, DY, till after the federal government reopens. And this weekend, he demanded that Senate Republicans overturn the 60-vote filibuster threshold, one thing that is unlikely to occur anytime quickly, if ever.

“At no time since October 1 has Donald Trump agreed to sit down down with Democratic leaders,” stated Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J. “So he can discuss all he needs in regards to the filibuster, however till he really places some pores and skin within the recreation and begins speaking to us, it is all meaningless to me. And I truthfully do not care that he pontificates about these items on social media. If he has time to tweet, he has time to simply come discuss to us.”