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Senators engaged in bipartisan discussions Wednesday seeking ways to end the government shutdown, though significant obstacles remain over Democrats’ demands to modify the House-passed stopgap funding bill. The informal conversations during floor votes revealed some softening among Democrats who may be willing to reopen the government without all their demands codified into law.
Republicans insist on passing their “clean” seven-week continuing resolution that would fund the government through November 21, refusing to negotiate while Democrats block the measure. Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton emphasized there would be no compromises or negotiations until Democrats accept their bill.
All but three Senate Democrats voted against the GOP stopgap Wednesday in a failed 55-45 vote.
Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer maintains Republicans cannot reach the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster without addressing Democratic concerns about rising healthcare costs and the Trump administration’s unilateral spending moves. Vice President J.D. Vance predicted the shutdown would be brief, noting Democrats are already “cracking a little bit,” pointing to Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto and Maine independent Angus King voting for the Republican bill before the shutdown began.
Democrats have narrowed their demands to two key issues: extending pandemic-era Obamacare premium subsidies set to expire this year, and establishing spending guardrails preventing the Trump administration from ignoring congressional directives through impoundments and rescissions. The question remains whether Democrats would accept a side deal promising future action on these priorities in exchange for voting to reopen the government.
Sen. Peter Welch acknowledged bipartisan discussions are exploring alternatives that would give both sides confidence, though he requires more specific progress than mutual expressions of concern. South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said Republicans tried assuring Democrats they’re committed to finding solutions on Obamacare subsidies, though not the permanent extension Democrats proposed.
Meanwhile, the White House is leveraging shutdown authority to pressure Democrats. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced canceling nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding across 16 mostly Democratic-led states and placing $18 billion for New York City transit projects on hold. Sen. Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries accused the Trump administration of enacting “revenge” while harming commuters.
President Trump indicated Tuesday that firings and program cuts would target Democrats and their priorities, with many being “irreversible.” Mr. Vought is working with federal agencies preparing for “imminent” government layoffs targeting non-essential civil servants, though Vance claimed the administration isn’t “targeting federal agencies based on politics.”
Read more: Senators start informal bipartisan discussions to end shutdown but obstacles abound
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