Senators have voted to move forward with a stopgap funding package aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in the country’s history.
In the vote, eight Democrats broke rank and voted in favour of advancing the Republican measure, which will keep the government open into January 30.
The Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1, 2026. Final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.
The measure would fund some parts of the government, including food aid and the legislative branch, for the next year but there was no guarantee of an extension of healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Instead, the deal struck between the centrist Democrats and the Republicans promises a vote on the issue by December.
The subsidies have been a Democratic priority during the funding battle. Since the shutdown began on October 1, Democratic Senators had voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demanded the extension of tax credits that make coverage more affordable under the ACA. Republicans, however, have maintained they are open to addressing the issue only after government funding is restored.
The bipartisan agreement includes bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government – food aid, veterans’ programmes and the legislative branch, among other things – for next year. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving legislators more than two months to finish additional spending bills.
The deal would reinstate federal workers who had received workforce reduction or layoff notices and reimburse states that spent their own funds to keep federal programmes running during the shutdown.
It would also protect against future reductions in force through January and guarantee federal workers would be paid once the shutdown is over.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.
The Democratic Senators who voted in favour of advancing the measure include Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, as well as Tim Kaine of Virginia.
Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, also voted in favour of the measure. Democrats John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada also voted yes.
Before the vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that he could not “in good faith” support the proposal. Schumer and said that Democrats have now “sounded the alarm” on healthcare.
House Democrats Criticize Senate Vote On Bill To End Government Shutdown
House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate. Texas Representative Greg Casar, the Chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a post on X that a deal that doesn’t reduce health care costs is a “betrayal” of millions of Americans who are counting on Democrats to fight.
“Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation. Millions of families would pay the price.”
Greg Casar
Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota posted that “if people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”
House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans and said Democrats will continue to fight. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it,” Jeffries said.
If the Senate eventually passes the amended bill, the package still must be approved by the House of Representatives and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature, a process that could take several days.
It was unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the healthcare subsidies before the promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not commit to bring it up in his chamber.
Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals.
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