The Senate’s first weekend session since the government shutdown began produced little progress Saturday, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s hopes for a quick vote fizzled amid deep partisan divides.
According to The Associated Press, the shutdown, now in its 39th day, continues to strain the country — with federal workers unpaid, airlines canceling flights, and SNAP benefits delayed for millions of Americans.
President Donald Trump signaled no willingness to compromise with Democrats seeking a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits. On social media, he called it “the worst Healthcare anywhere in the world” and suggested sending money directly to people to buy insurance.
Thune said Trump’s proposal would not be part of any deal to reopen the government but added, “it is a discussion that the president and all of us want to have.”
Republicans echoed Trump’s stance during the Senate debate.
“I guarantee you every day we keep this system in place is a great day for the health care insurance companies who have been making out literally like bandits every day under Obamacare,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., responded that while he welcomed Republican criticism of insurance companies, “that shouldn’t come at the cost of kicking millions off of their health care in January.”
Republican leaders are now weighing a proposal from moderate Democrats to end the shutdown in exchange for a later vote on the ACA subsidies. Without congressional action, premiums for those on the exchanges are expected to more than double next year.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who is leading the bipartisan talks, said Democrats “need another path forward” after Republicans rejected an offer from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to reopen the government and extend the subsidies. “We’re working on it,” she said.
Negotiators have discussed measures to fund parts of the government — including food aid, veterans programs, and Congress itself — while extending funding for the rest until December or January. The deal would come only with a promise, not a guarantee, of a future health care vote.
Even with a deal, Trump appears unlikely to support extending the health subsidies, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has refused to commit to holding a health care vote.
Republican leaders need five more votes to fund the government. About a dozen Democratic senators are participating in the discussions. Some Republicans have indicated openness to extending the tax credits but want stricter limits on eligibility.
“We’re going to replace this broken system with something that is actually better for the consumer,” Graham said.
Trump, meanwhile, urged Republicans to scrap the filibuster to pass a funding bill without Democratic support. Vice President JD Vance endorsed that idea, saying on social media that Republicans who want to preserve the rule are “wrong.”
Republicans have rejected the suggestion, and Thune is instead eyeing a bipartisan proposal similar to the moderates’ plan. What he might offer on health care remains unclear.
The measure would replace the House-passed bill that Democrats have rejected 14 times since the shutdown began Oct. 1. That legislation would fund the government only until Nov. 21.
A test vote on new legislation could come in the next few days if Thune moves forward.
Democrats may soon face a choice: continue holding out for a deal that guarantees extended ACA subsidies or vote to reopen the government without assurances.
“Doing nothing is derelict because people will go bankrupt, people will lose insurance, people will get sicker,” Schumer said Saturday. “That’s what will happen if this Congress fails to act.”
