Shutdown Breakthrough: Centrist Democrats Join GOP To Advance Bill Reopening Government
A protracted 40-day federal government shutdown may be nearing its end after a group of centrist and retiring Senate Democrats joined Republicans in a 60-40 vote late Sunday night to advance a legislative vehicle to reopen federal agencies.
The vote to proceed to a House-passed continuing resolution marks a major turning point, as Senate Democrats had previously blocked the same measure 14 times. Pressure mounted intensely on lawmakers following the expiration of SNAP funding on November 1st and widespread air traffic controller staff shortages causing chaos at the nation’s airports.
Eight Democrats, including retiring Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), and Tim Kaine (Va.), voted yes, reflecting a shift away from the Democratic caucus position. Independent Senator Angus King (Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, also supported the measure.
The breakthrough follows weeks of intense negotiation between centrists like Shaheen, Hassan, and King, Senate Republican leadership, and the White House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) now plans to amend the bill with a compromise deal that includes:
- Funding for military construction, veterans’ affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch through September 30, 2026.
- A stopgap measure funding the remainder of government through January 30.
- Language to retain over 4,000 federal workers targeted for layoffs and prevent further firings through reductions in force (RIFs) until January 30.
Senator Shaheen acknowledged the deal lacks an extension for enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, but argued that prolonging the shutdown would only increase harm to millions of Americans.
The deal also includes a commitment from Thune to schedule a vote later this year on legislation to extend the expiring ACA subsidies, a top priority for Hassan and King. The advancement sets the stage for the House of Representatives to return and vote to send the legislation to President Trump’s desk.
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