The end of the government shutdown appears to finally be within reach as both sides came together over the weekend for a compromise, which like every act of its kind, means some got what they wanted and others won't. And eight Democrats, in particular, crossed the aisle to side with Republicans.
In a procedural vote, senators advanced a House-passed bill that will be amended to fund the government until January 30. The Dems who broke with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and voted for it are: Dick Durban of Illinois, Angus King of Maine, Tim Kaine of Virginia, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto of New Mexico, and Jackie Rosen of Nevada.
In a joint statement, the eight argued that Republicans’ “flat refusal” to move on Democrats’ earlier proposals made clear that “this is the best possible offer we could secure.”
The deal still needs to be approved by the House before the government can officially reopen, but it is expected to pass. So, what does the deal call for?
The AP reports the agreed-upon legislation provides funding to reopen the government, including for SNAP food aid and other programs, while also ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers.
But what doesn't it include? A deal on the expiring health care subsidies that Democrats initially shuttered the government to tr to secure. Without these subsidies, Americans covered by Obamacare may see their insurance premiums skyrocket.
The Senate deal to reopen government essentially kicks that decision down the road by pushing off a vote next month, just weeks before the subsidies are set to expire.
“I understand that not all of my Democratic colleagues are satisfied with this agreement, but waiting another week or another month wouldn’t deliver a better outcome,” Sen. Shaheen said. Fetterman piped up on X to write, "After 40 days as a consistent voice against shutting our government down, I voted YES for the 15th time to REOPEN. I'm sorry to our military, SNAP recipients, gov workers, and Capitol Police who haven’t been paid in weeks. It should’ve never come to this. This was a failure."
But as Newsweek reported several big names in the Democratic Party, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and even Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who often sides with the Dems, criticized the deal. Newsom called it “pathetic.”