WASHINGTON (AP) — This week’s election, which energized Democrats and angered President Donald Trump, has thrown a wrench into efforts to end the record-breaking government shutdown and raised up-to-date doubts about the possibility of a breakthrough, despite the punishing impact of federal shutdowns on the country.
Trump has increased pressure on Senate Republicans to end the shutdown – now the longest in U.S. history at 37 days – calling it a “big, negative factor” in Republicans’ destitute results across the country. Democrats saw Trump’s comments as a reason to stand firm and believed his involvement in the talks could lead to an agreement on expanding health care subsidies, a key sticking point in winning their support.
Trump refuses to meet with Democrats, insisting they must open the government first. But complicating Republicans’ strategy, Trump has become increasingly fixated on pushing Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster to speed reopening – a move that many Republican senators flatly reject. In a video Wednesday evening, he kept up the pressure, saying the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for passing legislation should be “repealed.”
“This is much bigger than the shutdown,” Trump said. “This is the survival of our country.”
Senate Democrats are under pressure of their own, both from unions seeking an end to the shutdown and from allied groups who want them to stand firm. Many see Democrats’ decisive gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey as vindication of their strategy of keeping the government closed until expiring health care subsidies are addressed.
“It would be very strange if the American people agreed to support the Democrats fighting for them and if we capitulated in a matter of days without achieving any of the things we fought for,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
Meanwhile, talks continue, but the consequences of the shutdown are getting worse. On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to reduce air travel in 40 high-volume markets by 10% starting Friday morning to ensure safety amid staffing shortages. Millions are already affected by halted government programs and missing federal paychecks — and more are expected as another round of paydays approaches next week.
Progressives see election victories as a reason to fight
Grassroots Democratic groups across the country characterized Tuesday’s election results as voters’ approval of the shutdown strategy – and warned lawmakers against reaching a deal too soon.
“Moderate Senate Democrats looking for a way out right now are completely missing the moment,” said Katie Bethell, political director of MoveOn, a progressive group. “Voters sent a clear message: We want leaders who will fight for us and we want solutions that make life more affordable.”
Some Senate Democrats shared that sentiment. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a leading voice in the progressive movement, said Democrats “must stand strong” and should get assurances about expanding health care subsidies – including “a commitment from the Speaker of the House that he will support the bill and that the President will sign it.”
However, it remains to be seen how firmly anchored the party will remain. Some Democrats have worked with Republicans to find a way out of the stalemate and were convinced after the election that this had no impact on their approach.
“I don’t feel like the election has changed my situation,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo. “I still feel like I want to get out of the shutdown.”
Some Republicans also shared Trump’s fears that the shutdown would become a burden on the party.
“Polls show that most voters blame Republicans more than Democrats,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri. “That’s understandable when you consider who controls the levers of power.”
Trump sets another shutdown record
While some Democrats saw Trump’s comments about the shutdown on Wednesday as evidence that he would soon become more involved, he largely stayed out of the fray. Instead, talks have intensified within a loose coalition of centrist senators trying to negotiate an end to the shutdown.
Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to rescue expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats wonder whether the Republican president will keep his word, especially after the administration restricted SNAP food assistance despite court orders to ensure hunger prevention funds are available.
Trump’s approach to the shutdown is a stark contrast to his first term, when the government was partially shut down for 35 days because of his demands for money to build the U.S.-Mexico border wall. At this time, he was meeting publicly and negotiating with congressional leaders. Unable to secure the money, he gave in in 2019.
This time it’s not just Trump who is refusing to take part in talks. Congressional leaders are in a stalemate and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent lawmakers home in September after they approved their own funding bill and declined further negotiations.
A “sad milestone,” Johnson said. He dismissed the party’s electoral defeats and said he looked forward to a midterm election in 2026 that would more closely reflect Trump’s time in office.
Meanwhile, food assistance, child care benefits, and countless other government services are facing significant disruption. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are furloughed or expected to report to work without pay.
Senators are looking for a possible deal
At the heart of any resolution will be a series of agreements that would have to be honored not only by the Senate, but also by the House of Representatives and the White House, which is not at all certain in Washington.
Senators from both parties, particularly members of the powerful Budget Committee, are pushing to ensure that the normal government funding process can be restarted in Congress. The goals include securing upcoming votes on a smaller legislative package to fund various aspects of government, such as agricultural programs and military construction projects on bases.
More difficultly, a significant number of senators also want a solution to the stalemate over funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
By sending insurance premium alerts, millions of people experience shock at skyrocketing prices. The loss of enhanced federal subsidies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which were provided in the form of tax credits, is expected to leave many people unable to obtain health insurance.
Thune has promised Democrats at least a vote on their preferred health care proposal at some point as part of an agreement to reopen the government. But that isn’t enough for some senators, who see the health care gridlock as part of their broader concerns about Trump’s direction for the country.
