Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.
Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.
Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.
Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.
GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.
The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.
It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.
In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”
“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.
New text of a temporary stopgap funding deal released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.
As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.
Divided Democrats
Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.
Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.
“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.
Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.
“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.
Government reopening will take time
The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.
The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.
Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”
Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.
Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began cutting flights Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.
SNAP funding
The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.
The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.
During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.
The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.
Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a bill summary.
The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.
Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to take back a portion of them.
The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.
Hemp ban
Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.
Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.
Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”
House trepidation
Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.
“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.
“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.
Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.
“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.
–Ashley Murray, Florida Phoenix
Bo Peep says
About damn time. There was never any harm in signing a CRA which allowed for continued finding and further negotiations. Just the typical butt headed antics of the Senate and House minority leaders
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Cowards.
Pierre Tristam says
Too kind.
TrumpHole says
So you agree with hurting us less fortunate to ones further the democratic agenda.
Is our future, Communism? Take a hard honest look folks. Don’t let the democratic party fool you.
This is a free country, for now.
Laurel says
You’re not getting it, Trumphole, both sides are screwing us over. It’s all an act. Those eight Democrats are not running again. Schumer told them what to do. Schumer lied all along. The Democrats were winning the shutdown, even Trump acknowledged it. If you don’t see that, you will continue to be manipulated by those who don’t give a damn about you, or me. Pay closer attention.
Kennan says
Great point Laurel! Those Democrats are in fact, not running again. Weird though, they think they’re doing something good on their way out, but they will not be remembered fondly. Really surprised that Angus King went along for the ride. Thought he knew better.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Herp a derp trump trump herp a derp communism derp derp trump
Thomas Hutson says
DON’T CRY DEMOCRATS THESE 7+1 RED MAGA DEMOCRATS SOLD YOU OUT!! Where have they been for 40 DAYS!! This was TACO’S SHUTDOWN’, the REDS CUT THE FUNDING, FIRED OR RIFT ED 40 MILLION AMERICANS! How these 7 RED MAGA DEMOCRATS COULD STAND AND TELL 40 million AMERICANS THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE! Just wanted to get them paid!! TACO AND THE RED MAGA DO NOT CARE! They are putting their faith in another VOTE FROM HABITUAL LIARS!! What a sell out! THE 1 INDEPENDENT WACK JOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RED MAGA IN DEMOCRATIC CLOTHING! WELL THEY CALL YOU DEMOCRATS AS WOOSIES FOR A REASON! These 7 can now take a bow now’ , hell TACO May even invite them to his SOUTHERN WHITE HOUSE FOR A ROUND OF GOLF!
FlaglerLive says
Please, no caps. Thank you.
Pogo says
@Ashley Murray
It’s a great comfort to hear from sages and scribes who are independents, brave observers that they told us so, but also, anything can, might, will never — and, but — probably, maybe, unlikely, definitely did, didn’t. In no case, are they, or were they, wrong.
LOL, LOL, LOL — smoke em if ya got em. It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere.
Skibum says
Despite the wave of democrat election victories across the nation last Tuesday, it was always going to be a very steep climb with nearly zero chance of a favorable outcome for democrats who had to weigh the pros and cons of whether to keep fighting on behalf of the millions of Americans who face much higher healthcare insurance premiums with the loss of the subsidies effective Jan. 1st, or to fight for the many government employees put out of work by drumph’s administration due to the ongoing shutdown, the federal employees still on the job who are forced to work without pay, and the millions of Americans inconvenienced by the cancellations and delays of airline flights at the nation’s airports.
The silver lining is that the healthcare fight will go on into the new year, and will undoubtably be one if not the main issue for democrats when midterm elections are held next year. Poll after poll shows the vast majority of Americans including republicans approve of keeping the ACA subsidies and also approve of Obamacare, so in the long-term, maga republi-con member of the house, who are ALL up for re-election next year, are going to have a very, very hard time trying to defend their draconian policies and total abeyance to the convicted felon president.
I predict the dems will retake the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate as well with the help of dissatisfied independent voters. If that happens, drumph and his corrupt sycophants in power will be TOAST!
JohnB says
It wasn’t surrender, they were brave. The SNAP recipients were being held hostage.
The GOP will stop at nothing to win. They are not interested in their constituents. Only winning counts.
The GOP was the party of Lincoln. Not anymore. The poor are irrelevant in this new party.
This from a 84 year old Republican who is ashamed of what this party stands for now.
Sherry says
Spineless Democrats completely “CAVED”! Shame on them, as well as the “Fascist” Maga Republicans! What was accomplished during this terrible “Shutdown”= a complete”Pissing Contest” between corrupt politicians in which the American public got completely hosed!
Good Luck with your fabulous Republican health care plan! Where is it, by the way??????
Pogo says
@The biggest hard asses
… as usual, are unserious pacifists, purists, idealists, awkward single issue Kamikaze pilots who seem to think they get to go twice, proud non-voters — and the happy Republican machine that has its minority boot on everyone’s neck. There was one realistic choice at the polls, and they didn’t choose it — or “protested” by doing nothing.
The bad guys followed Trump; none of them ran as a Democrat.
Laurel says
Well, the Democrats caved. Am I surprised? No. Am I disappointed? Yes. This is clear evidence that the Democrats are just as spineless as their supposed adversaries. They, too, are listening to the same lobbyists as the Republicans. They, too, are more concerned about their wealthy donors. They, too, are more worried about their jobs than they are us. They too, will be invited to the ballroom eventually. They, too, are chickenshits. So, people went without paychecks, and meals, and jobs, and stability, and what for? All for naught. All let down, and let down hard. With that in mind, who is working for us? Who is representing us?
Let me be clear, people, neither side gives a damn about the average family. Not, one, damn. So what do we do? I’m not sure, but I am sure that there are Republicans out there who are celebrating their own demise, and don’t yet know it. Many Democrats will make excuses, to the same end. We have been divided up, and both sides crushed. Both sides given crumbs. Both sides lied to. Both sides will get more promises, and maybe bought off with more temporary crumbs. More drama; little real action.
All bets are off.
What I think we should do, starting at least, is both Republicans and Democrats start becoming Independents. Now. Make it clear we want lower prices. Make it clear we want really, really good healthcare. Make it clear we won’t “hold our noses” to vote. Make it clear we are tired of the status quo. Instead, hold their freakin’ feet to the fire. Make them answer to us. It can be done.
As a start, stop falling for the bullshit, and start looking for real people who really do care, and really do want change. No more of this “weave’ crap. No more of promises that never materialize. No more hiding behind crosses. No more people beholding to big money donors. Turn off Fox Entertainment. Turn off MSNBC. Turn off Newsmax. Turn off CNN. This conformation bias is using us. Making money off us, while our quality of life dwindles. In reality, we all mostly want the same basic things that make our lives better. Instead, we are distracted with drama. With “woke.” With victimhood. With the differences between us exaggerated.
A country does better when the middle class does better.
The majority of the Republican Party is dead. The majority of the Democratic Party is dead. We need living, human beings who represent us. Learn the manipulative buzzwords. Learn the manipulative slogans. Listen and learn how to determine lies. You instinctively known how to do it. Do it! Stop attacking each other, that is only promoting to hurt us. Let them know we are mad. Vote the fkrs out, and start fresh with those who worry about what WE the People want! Don’t Tread on Me! Us! We see you now.
Republican Dave says
Growing up, there was a term “The haves and the have nots.” I resented that. The haves had insurance, the have nots did not. The divide has grown and become political.
The Affordable Care Act came along because the insurance companies were denying healthcare because of preexisting conditions. Something had to be done.
You change the oil in your vehicle to maintain it as an investment. Why can’t we take care of the health of our people as an investment? So they are productive? So they pay taxes?
Don’t fight each other, fight the lobbyists, Citizens United and find out who donates to your candidate. Follow the money, and you’ll find out why people do what they do.
Kennan says
Wow!
There was a very specific reason that Democrats shut down the government.
Now these stupid motherfuckers are gonna be on the wrong side of history instead of the right.
Over a month ago, Democrats push back to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, and tax credits. Don’t take away SNAP! The money is there! It must be used!
Seven Democrats vote with Republicans to end a shut down by getting nothing!
They vote to end the shutdown with a promise from Republicans to vote on extensions to the ACA and SNAP at a later date?
Democrats sold out the entire shut down to not get what they wanted, for a promise to not get what you wanted later!
I can still see Chuck Schumer and the rest of these impotent bitches saying things like” No fucking way”, We gotta fight, and other worthless platitudes.
Chuck Schumer: “No Fucking Way”?
Fox News even said,” democrats cave on the Shut down”. What does that say?
I got something to say:
Chuck Schumer. Democrats……………….
FUCK YOU.
Kennan says
A 34 year-old youngster, born in Uganda to Indian parents, an American citizen who happens to be a Muslim.
This is the man showing the country how politics is done. He is the definition of what we are as a country. He is the definition of what an American melting pot is. He is the definition of what for THE PEOPLE means.
Just greed and money, and appearing to look like you give a shit if you’re a politician. That is the shit pie. We have been forced to eat for decades. Republicans are full-blown fascists, evil as a day is long, no conscience whatsoever, and a fear of black, brown, Asian, or anything that appears outside there stuck on” Norman Rockwell” white bread, greatest bullshit story ever told EVANGELICAL echo chamber.
Then there’s Democrats: Sound bites, feel good politics. Plans that make sense but no real agreement on how to implement them. Stop being such pussies. All you have to do is stick to a plan and you win the day. Let the fascist on the right fuck up and bury themselves, but fight.FIGHT!!!
Kennan says
I’m sorry, but I’m pissed!!!!!
If you’re waiting for these motherfuckers to grow a conscience?
YOUR GONNA BE WAITING A lONG TIME.
Skibum says
The battle is not over. The midterms are coming, and it is not only you, but the majority of America is pissed as well because people are seeing all of the negative consequences resulting from the constant stream of unethical, unconstitutional and illegal things the convicted felon and his appointed maga sycophants in government are doing to screw each and every one of us. And that goes for republican voters too, many of whom are just barely making it by and didn’t vote for what the pedo protecting prez has prioritized in order to enrich himself.
Like Barack Obama has said in a plea to Americans… don’t boo, VOTE! Too many Americans, especially young people, have been way too ambivalent and disconnected from politics. They are not only America’s future… they are the ones who are most likely to get hurt the most if things are not turned around. People cannot be like the frogs sitting in gradually heating water until it is too late to do something about their situation.
I hope people are seeing what is happening right in front of their faces, and are angry enough to not only speak out, but to actually DO SOMETHING about it.
Laurel says
Frogs will jump out of heated water before it’s too late. The most stubborn maga will not.
Dennis C Rathsam says
The Affordable Healthcare Act was flawed from the getgo. Old folks depending on young folks to buy expensive insurance, to help them afford theirs. Everyone knew the insurance company s were ripping us off, yet the democrats all voted for it. Now that we know it cant be sustained without the goverment cash….. OBAMACARE is not worth the paper it was printed on! Another travisty devised by ignorant Jackasses.
Kennan says
Thanks Skibum and Laurel.
I needed the support and therapy!
Y’all have no idea how helpful it is to know you’re not alone. All the crazy going on sometimes makes me feel like a man without a country. Thanks you guys!
Sherry says
@ Kennan. . . In the words of Sonny and Sher. . . “I’ve Got You Babe”! Couldn’t agree with you more! The current Democratic party is even weaker than usual. That Democratic leadership needs to be ousted in both houses of Congress!
An investigation needs to happen regarding the, likely offshore, financial accounts of those 8 Dems that are NOT running next term. This kind of thing is NOT simply a coincidence that they suddenly “folded”! Sure hoping some great investigative journalism uncovers the “whole truth”!