The U.S. Senate moved closer to resolving the government shutdown as a group of moderate Democrats agreed to push forward without a guaranteed extension of health-care subsidies, causing division within their party. In a preliminary vote, the Senate voted 60-40 to advance compromise legislation to fund the government and later address the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire on Jan. 1. Final approval may take several days, pending any objections from Democrats that could delay the process.
The agreement reached does not ensure the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key demand from Democrats for nearly six weeks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and most of his Democratic colleagues opposed moving forward with the package. However, the stalemate was broken by a bipartisan group of three former governors turned senators — Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, and Angus King, an Independent from Maine. They agreed to support advancing three bipartisan annual spending bills and extending government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending health-care tax credits.
This agreement also includes reversing the termination of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown started on Oct. 1 and ensuring federal workers receive back pay. Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the deal, emphasizing the urgency to act as the shutdown disrupts flights, jeopardizes food assistance, and leaves federal employees without pay.
President Donald Trump did not explicitly endorse the deal upon his return to the White House but indicated progress towards ending the shutdown. Notably, Democratic senators Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen supported moving forward with the agreement alongside the group of moderates.
Despite expectations for more Democratic support, only a few senators switched their votes to align with the moderates. The vote was briefly delayed as a few conservative Republican senators expressed concerns but eventually voted in favor after discussions with Senate leadership and Trump.
Democratic pushback is anticipated as some senators feel the agreement falls short, particularly in addressing health care. The deal proposes funding various government sectors until the end of January, with a pledge to hold a vote on health-care subsidies in mid-December. It also outlines protections for federal workers affected by the shutdown and includes provisions for states that sustained federal programs during the shutdown.
House Democrats have also raised objections, with some labeling the proposed deal as insufficient in addressing health care costs. Progressive voices within the party have criticized the agreement, highlighting the need for concrete measures to reduce health care expenses for Americans.
