The Senate sat down on Monday to look for a compromise that would finally end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The deal aims to end a weeks-long stalemate that has disrupted SNAP for millions, left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid, and snarled air traffic.
The Senate passed a funding bill that will keep the federal government funded at existing levels through January 30, 2026. The bill passed the Senate with a 60-40 vote, including support from nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats. The bill now awaits a House vote and the President’s signature to officially end the shutdown. While the agreement sets up a December vote on those subsidies, which benefit 24 million Americans, it does not guarantee they will continue.
It next heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and awaits the signature from the president. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he would like to pass it as soon as Wednesday and send it on to Trump to sign it into law. Trump has called the deal to reopen the government “very good.”
While Republicans are hopeful, there is a big roadblock for the budget before it can clear Congress and land on the president’s desk.
Healthcare Subsidiaries Will be the Biggest Road Block
The Democrats’ central demand throughout the government shutdown has been the renewal of tax credits that lower health insurance costs for 24 million Americans. The Republicans’ refusal to even consider this proposal has been a major factor contributing to the ongoing shutdown.
House Republicans have not committed to supporting an extension of insurance tax credits, and there is strong opposition within their ranks. Speaker Mike Johnson has said the House will need to “find consensus” before any proposal on insurance subsidies moves forward. However, he failed to promise a vote. The GOP has agreed to allow a Senate vote on extending these tax credits in December. But there is no guarantee that it will pass the House if it does clear the Senate.
The insurance credits are supported by some moderate Republicans and Senate leaders. Maine’s senator, Susan Collins, has suggested they may support an extension with new income caps. However, President Trump and hardline conservatives continue to call for dismantling the Affordable Care Act. The Democratic leaders have labeled the lack of progress on subsidies a “betrayal” that puts millions of Americans at risk of losing healthcare coverage.
All in all, House Republicans remain divided. Leadership is hesitant to commit, while hardliners continue to push back. The fate of the new spending bill now hinges on how aggressively House Democrats choose to push back.
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Will Democrats Actually Put Up a Fight?
Last week, the Democrats had major wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City elections. But these victories, like the government shutdown, have widened the gap between the pragmatic and progressive factions of the party.
The Democratic left is furious at defectors who voted with Senate Republicans to pass the budget on Monday, seeing this as a surrender to Trump. For instance, Senator Bernie Sanders said giving up the fight was a “horrific mistake”. California Governor Gavin Newsom called it “surrender”.
Congressman Greg Casar of Texas, the chairman of the House Progressive Caucus, warned: “A deal that doesn’t reduce healthcare costs is a betrayal of millions of Americans counting on Democrats to fight for them.”
However, center-right democrats like Jared Golden of Maine, who represents one of the most conservative districts in the nation held by any Democrat, may cross the aisle. Golden, who recently announced he won’t run for re-election, is likely to vote for the package. Another moderate Democrat, Henry Cuellar of Texas, could help get the Republicans to break the tie.