Senate Democrats reject latest effort to end government shutdown

A majority of Democratic senators on Monday rejected a fifth attempt by Republicans to pass a stopgap funding bill that would end the government shutdown – just hours after President Trump floated the possibility of making a healthcare deal with Dems. 

The deadlocked Senate voted 52-42 to block the Trump-backed continuing resolution from moving forward, ensuring the government will remain unfunded for a seventh straight day come Tuesday. 

The measure — which would keep the government funded at pre-shutdown levels until Nov. 21 – fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to clear the legislative filibuster. 

Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Angus King of Maine, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, continue to be the only Democrats backing the measure. 

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky remains the only member on the GOP side opposed to the bill. 

A handful of senators from both sides of the aisle did not cast votes.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other Democrats had objected to the so-called “clean” continuing resolution because it failed to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of this year.

Ahead of the failed vote, Trump expressed a willingness to make a deal. 

“If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal. Sure,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office. 

“You have subsidies – that’s the problem with Obamacare – the subsidies are so much, billions and billions of dollars are being wasted,” Trump continued. “We could have much better health care than we have right now.”

Trump further claimed that negotiations regarding healthcare are “going on right now with the Democrats” and “could lead to very good things.” 

“We are speaking with the Democrats and some very good things could happen, with respect to healthcare,” he said. 

Schumer, however, flatly denied the president’s claim. 

“THIS ISN’T TRUE,” the New York Democrat wrote on X, in response to a clip of Trump’s Oval Office remarks. 

“For months, Democrats have been demanding Trump and Republicans come to the table and work with us to deliver lower costs and better healthcare for the American people,” Schumer continued. “If Republicans are finally ready to sit down and get something done on health care for American families, Democrats will be there — ready to make it happen.” 

Apart from extending Obamacare subsidies, Democrats have also demanded that Republicans reverse changes to Medicaid payment and eligibility rules included in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which was signed into law in July. 

GOP leaders argue that complying with the Democrats’ demands could cost taxpayers much as $1.5 trillion over the next decade.

Republicans also argue that the issues should be taken up after the short-term bill to fund the government is passed.

Sixty-five percent of Americans — including nearly 40% of Democrats — believe Democrats should accept a continuing resolution at current spending levels, even without an extension for Obamacare subsidies, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday.

Only 35% felt Democrats should hold out for additional funding.

“Democrats own this,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said from Senate floor Monday. “They own any lapse in funding for critical food aid programs, just as they own every other negative effect of this shutdown. Because let’s remember, the only reason the government is shut down is because Democrats refused to accept a clean, nonpartisan funding extension.”