The ongoing federal government shutdown has officially become the longest in United States history, as Senate Democrats on Tuesday rejected a Republican-led proposal to reopen the government for the 14th time. This decision comes on the 35th day of the standoff, which has highlighted significant partisan divides regarding healthcare and spending priorities.
The House-passed continuing resolution (CR) was once again dismissed by Democrats, who are insisting on a firm agreement regarding expiring Obamacare subsidies before any discussions about reopening the government can proceed. This situation mirrors the record length of the 2019 shutdown, which was previously the longest on record, and will surpass it by the end of the day.
In a statement on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, placed the blame squarely on Republicans and President Donald Trump, accusing them of exacerbating healthcare costs for Americans. He said, “The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own. That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.”
Despite Schumer’s firm stance, there are signs of growing fatigue among Senate Democrats. A group of nearly a dozen Senate Democrats convened privately on Monday night to explore potential ways to end the impasse. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, expressed cautious optimism about a resolution. “The pressures that everybody’s feeling are great,” Thune noted, adding that he believes some lawmakers recognize the need to resolve the situation. “It’s time to end it,” he said.
Republicans have made several proposals to Democrats, including a commitment to vote on the Obamacare subsidies after the government reopens. With the current CR set to expire on November 21, 2023, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to pass broader spending bills. Some members of Congress have suggested extending the resolution into December or January to avoid another shutdown and prevent a large year-end omnibus package. Others are considering a smaller “minibus” of spending bills tied to the next CR.
Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota involved in bipartisan discussions, remarked that Democrats could resolve the situation “with one vote,” urging them to move forward. “Bottom line is they can stop all this with one vote and get back to work on a bipartisan basis,” Rounds said.
In efforts to find common ground, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska proposed a two-year extension of the Obamacare subsidies. She acknowledged that meaningful reforms are unlikely at this point, as insurers have already released new rates. “It’s just what’s the right concoction?” she commented regarding the ongoing negotiations.
Frustration is also evident among Senate Democrats, who feel that President Trump has not taken a proactive role in resolving the crisis. Trump has declined to meet with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, until the government is reopened. Instead, he has called on Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster to advance their proposals. “At no point since October 1 has Donald Trump agreed to sit down with Democratic leaders,” said Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey. “If he’s got time to tweet, he’s got time to just come and talk to us.”
As the shutdown drags on, both parties are facing mounting public frustration, yet neither appears willing to make the first move toward ending the deadlock. The ongoing situation raises questions about the future of bipartisan cooperation in the U.S. Congress and its implications for the American public.
