8 Senate Democrats who folded on the shutdown have been named
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Senate voted Sunday to end the nation’s longest government shutdown after eight Democratic senators struck a deal with Republicans to pass a funding bill that does not include Democrats’ core demand to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, set to expire December 31.
The 51-49 vote, which included the eight Democrats and independent Sen. Angus King (I-ME), reopens the government after 41 days of closure, providing full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other services but leaving ACA subsidies unresolved for a separate floor vote.
The bipartisan agreement, brokered by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), funds the government through March 31, 2026, and includes $11 billion for SNAP to cover the full fiscal year, reversing partial cuts affecting 42 million recipients.
It also mandates a vote on ACA subsidies within 30 days, but without guaranteed passage, per the bill text.
The eight Democrats who crossed party lines were:
- Dick Durbin (Ill.)
- Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
- Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
- Jackie Rosen (Nev.)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.)
- John Fetterman (Pa.)
- Tim Kaine (Va.)
- Angus King (I-ME), who caucuses with Democrats
Three of these senators—Fetterman, Cortez Masto, and King had previously voted with Republicans to advance funding bills since the shutdown began September 30, per Senate roll call votes. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, furloughed 800,000 federal workers and delayed $2.1 billion in SNAP payments.
Democrats, backed by a majority of voters and party activists, viewed the shutdown as leverage to secure ACA subsidies for 24 million enrollees, preventing 4 million from losing coverage and 114% premium hikes, per Congressional Budget Office projections.
Polling showed Republicans taking most blame, with 55% disapproving of Trump’s handling, per Washington Post-ABC. Tuesday’s Democratic sweeps in off-year elections, including NYC mayoral, NJ and VA gubernatorial races, and California’s Prop 50, also signaled momentum.
The compromise risks alienating the Democratic base, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticizing it as “short-sighted” but praising the SNAP restoration, per his statement.
The Senators’ Justification for Standing Down
The eight senators emphasized shutdown pain to workers and the public, framing the ACA vote as a win. Shaheen told reporters, “This agreement gives Democrats control of the Senate floor… on one of our top legislative priorities.”
King noted, “Our judgment is that the best way to do that is to get a bill on the floor. Is there a guarantee it will pass? No… In the House, there is actually some very strong interest.”
Kaine stated, “This was the reality, SNAP recipients suffering, nothing happening on ACA… From robust benefits and a path.”
Cortez Masto said, “We also have an opportunity now to put Republicans on the record on the ACA. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs… they have the chance. And if they do not, they will own the premium increases they cause.”
Durbin highlighted, “This bill is not perfect, but it takes important steps to reduce their shutdown’s hurt… it would reverse the mass firings the Trump Administration ordered throughout the shutdown.”
Durbin defended the deal on CNN: “Those criticizing the deal need to understand how the Senate works. We have brought this issue as a major national issue from zero to a major factor.”
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The ACA vote, required within 30 days, could pass the Senate (51-49 Democratic majority) but faces House resistance. Failure would trigger 4 million coverage losses.