On Monday, a substantial number of Democratic senators dismissed a fifth attempt from Republicans to advance a temporary funding measure aimed at resolving the shutdown of the government – mere hours after President Trump hinted at a potential healthcare agreement with Democratic lawmakers.
The stagnated Senate cast a vote of 52-42 against the proposal for a continuing resolution backed by Trump, consequently prolonging the funding lapse for another day, marking the seventh day of minimal government operations by Tuesday.
This provision, aimed at sustaining government funding at pre-shutdown levels through Nov. 21, fell short by eight votes of the necessary 60 to overcome the legislative filibuster.
Currently, Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, and Angus King from Maine—a self-identified Independent who aligns with Democrats—are the only supporters of the proposal among their party.
On the Republican side, only Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky expressed opposition to the bill.
A few senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties abstained from voting.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his fellow Democrats voiced their disapproval of the unadorned “clean” continuing resolution, as it did not include an extension for the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire by the end of this year.
Prior to the unsuccessful vote, Trump indicated a readiness to negotiate.
“If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal. Sure,” the president remarked to reporters in the Oval Office.
“You have subsidies – that’s the problem with Obamacare – the subsidies are excessive, billions and billions of dollars are being wasted,” Trump added. “We could institute much better healthcare than what we currently have.”
Trump elaborated that discussions around healthcare were “ongoing with the Democrats” and “could lead to very positive outcomes.”
“We are engaging with the Democrats and some very good results could unfold, regarding healthcare,” he stated.
Schumer, however, outrightly refuted Trump’s assertion.
“THIS ISN’T TRUE,” the New York Senator asserted on X, in reaction to Trump’s Oval Office comments.
“For months, Democrats have insisted that Trump and the Republicans cooperate and collaborate with us to lower costs and improve healthcare for the American populace,” Schumer declared. “If Republicans are finally ready to negotiate on health care for American families, Democrats will be prepared to make it happen.”
In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump appealed to Democrats to bring the government back online “tonight,” suggesting a clarification to his comments made in the Oval Office.
“I am willing to collaborate with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or any other issues, but first they must permit our Government to re-open,” he tweeted. “In fact, they should reopen our Government this evening!”
In addition to extending Obamacare subsidies, Democrats have urged Republicans to rescind modifications to Medicaid payment and eligibility provisions incorporated in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that was enacted in July.
Republican leaders maintain that acquiescing to Democrats’ requests could incur costs to taxpayers potentially totaling $1.5 trillion over the next decade.
They also contend that these matters should be addressed only after the short-term funding bill is enacted.
According to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday, 65% of Americans—including nearly 40% of Democrats—believe that Democrats should relent and accept a continuing resolution at existing expenditure levels, even without an extension for Obamacare subsidies.
Only 35% believed that Democrats should persist in demanding additional funding.
“Democrats are accountable for this situation,” asserted Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on the Senate floor Monday. “They are responsible for any failure in funding essential food assistance programs, just as they are for every negative consequence of this shutdown. Remember, the government is currently shut down solely because Democrats refused to endorse a straightforward, nonpartisan funding extension.”
