2026 Democrats jump to pan the shutdown deal

Senate Democrats’ Shutdown Deal Sparks Electoral Controversy

The recent decision by Senate Democrats to embrace a shutdown deal lacking guaranteed extensions for health care subsidies has ignited a firestorm of criticism among party members, shaping it into a pivotal electoral issue.

Major Democratic Senate candidates have uniformly condemned the agreement, with Texas hopeful Colin Allred, a former congressman, dismissing it as a “joke” and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton labeling it a “complete betrayal of the American people.” Even Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), the most vulnerable incumbent facing reelection in 2026, voted against the deal, joining several senators who are eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run.

California Governor Gavin Newsom did not hold back, branding the agreement “pathetic” on X, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker remarked, “This is not a deal — it’s an empty promise.”

This contentious agreement has even led to familial tensions, as Stefany Shaheen, a candidate in the crowded Democratic primary for an open House seat in New Hampshire, expressed her inability to support a deal that fails to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. This stance puts her at odds with her mother, retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who played a significant role in negotiating the deal.

In a further twist, Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who is running to succeed Jeanne Shaheen, also rejected the agreement in a statement made Monday.

After positioning soaring health care costs as a liability for Republicans in upcoming midterms, this deal to reopen the government—after a prolonged 40-day shutdown—without extending expiring insurance subsidies has dealt a significant blow to the Democratic base. The fallout was so severe that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) found himself opposing it amid fierce backlash for permitting eight Democratic caucus members to side with Republicans.

This controversy is now evolving into a litmus test for candidates in competitive midterm races as Democrats strive to reclaim control of the Senate. The party feels reinvigorated following their recent successes in off-cycle elections, needing to net four seats to regain control of the upper chamber.

“The infighting over the deal will fade quickly,” asserted Matt Bennett of the centrist think tank Third Way. “By the time we approach the midterms, Democrats will aggressively argue that Republicans stripped lifesaving funds from millions to finance tax breaks for the wealthy. And that assertion will be backed by truth.”

With 33 Senate seats up for grabs in the upcoming election, Democrats are earnestly targeting to hold or flip at least a dozen of them. Candidates vying for open positions—Graham Platner in Maine, Mallory McMorrow in Michigan, and Zach Wahls and Nathan Sage in Iowa—have reiterated their opposition to Schumer’s leadership as the ramifications of the deal came to light.

“Chuck Schumer has failed in his job yet again,” Platner declared in a video posted on X. “We need to elect leaders who are willing to fight. … Call your senators and tell them Chuck Schumer can no longer be leader.”

In Michigan’s three-way primary, candidates uniformly criticized the deal, showcasing the ideological rifts within a party currently embroiled in internal disputes.

“This is a bad deal,” McMorrow stated in a video late Sunday, adding, “the old way of doing things is not working.” Abdul El-Sayed harshly criticized the “shitty agreement,” condemning Democrats for relinquishing their leverage “when we could have forced Republicans to negotiate” following their electoral defeats last week. Rep. Haley Stevens remarked that the deal “doesn’t work for Michigan” and that she requires “more than empty promises” regarding cost reductions, though she did not disclose her voting intentions for the measure.

The Democrats’ concession has provided a way out of the record-breaking government shutdown, which has disrupted air travel and caused delayed paychecks and halted food assistance. The agreement moving through the Senate will fund some agencies and programs for the full fiscal year while extending others until January 30, 2026. Although it promises a December vote on extending the expiring Obamacare subsidies, its passage in the GOP-controlled chamber is uncertain, with Speaker Mike Johnson not committing to bring such a vote to the House floor.

Nevertheless, by striking this deal, Senate Democrats have alienated a party revitalized by recent electoral victories, prompting accusations that they have squandered their leverage in the Republican-led Congress. This outcome ensures that Schumer’s leadership remains a contentious issue in competitive Senate races.

None of the eight Democrats who voted to break the shutdown deadlock are facing voters next year; two are retiring, while the rest aren’t up for reelection until at least 2028. They justified their decision by highlighting the financial strain the prolonged funding lapse was inflicting on constituents, framing the upcoming floor vote on tax credits as a win for Democrats, along with other concessions like rehiring federal workers laid off during the shutdown.

“This bill is not perfect, but it takes significant steps to alleviate the pain caused by the shutdown,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat who is retiring next year. However, the Democrats vying to replace him are in disagreement. Stratton, who has previously urged new Senate leadership, characterized the Democratic capitulation as “a complete betrayal of the American people.” Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly both stated that the outcome failed to assist millions facing skyrocketing health care premiums.

Opposition to Schumer’s leadership has emerged from both his handpicked recruits, largely silent on the shutdown, and insurgents calling for his ouster.

“This is a bad deal for Ohioans,” former Sen. Sherrod Brown stated. Maine Governor Janet Mills criticized “the promise of a vote [on the subsidies] that won’t go anywhere.” Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper—Democrats’ best chance for flipping a Senate seat—declared that “any deal that permits health care costs to continue escalating is unacceptable.”

Sage criticized Senate Democrats for “caving and accomplishing nothing.” Democrat Jordan Wood from Maine asserted that “America needs an opposition party willing to fight for them.” Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan strongly expressed, “we deserve so much more than this bullshit.” Shortly thereafter, she received an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who also opposed the deal.

“If anyone believes this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you,” remarked Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), stating her intent to vote “no” when the measure appears in the House. “I will not risk 24 million Americans losing their health care.”

Senate Democrats who orchestrated the spending deal contended that they successfully shifted the blame for rising health care costs onto Republicans ahead of the midterms.

“If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) stated at the Capitol. “If they choose not to engage, they will own the disastrous premium increases.”

Yet, Democrats continue to target their own. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, elected as the next governor of New Jersey in the recent blue wave, condemned the deal as “malpractice.” Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s incoming mayor, who did not receive Schumer’s endorsement, asserted that the compromise and “anyone who supports it should be rejected.”

“That’s not a deal,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who recently faced a primary challenge, said. “It’s an unconditional surrender.”

The political ramifications are extending to Schumer, who faces reelection in 2028. Progressive Democrats and advocacy groups are calling for his removal as leader, blaming him for failing to maintain party discipline, even as he voted against a deal he deemed insufficient to tackle the “health care crisis” and vowed to “keep fighting.”

Schumer’s effectiveness is now under scrutiny, as Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a potential candidate for 2028, asserted he “should be replaced.” The Sunrise Movement has echoed this sentiment, urging voters to “reject the eight Senate Democrats” who allowed the funding patch to move forward.

“I don’t think the Democrats leading this surrender effort realize the trust they are eroding within their own voting coalition,” warned Andrew O’Neill, the national advocacy director for Indivisible, on Sunday night.

In essence, Schumer voted against the bill for doing “nothing” to address a “devastating health care crisis.” He committed to “keep fighting.” Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also pledged to continue the fight, with several members indicating they would follow suit.

Adam Wren contributed to this report.