Senate Democrats are increasingly looking for ways to close the government shutdown that has already exceeded 36 days, pushing it into unprecedented territory. With both parties remaining cautiously optimistic about ending the stalemate, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his caucus are weighing various Republican proposals aimed at resolving the impasse. Among these options are a vote on expiring Obamacare subsidies, incorporating a series of spending bills into a long-term funding bill, and extending the currently passed House continuing resolution (CR) until late December or January.
Despite the length of the shutdown, Schumer remained vague about the Democratic strategy, highlighting that the prolonged caucus lunch was a positive sign. He noted that the Senate Democrats were “exploring all the options” as part of this process. However, the majority of Democrats, including key figures such as Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., have been cautious, emphasizing that the process is still in its early stages. Meanwhile, Senate Appropriators, who have been central to bipartisan discussions, argue that passing spending bills could be the key to ending the shutdown.
The situation is further complicated by demands from Senate Democrats regarding the expiring Obamacare subsidies, which have been a major point of contention. The Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, has committed to providing Democrats with a vote on a bill addressing these subsidies, but Republicans argue that the proposed legislation lacks the necessary reforms to be viable. This lack of agreement has contributed to the prolonged shutdown, which has affected millions of federal workers and disrupted essential services such as air traffic control and federal food assistance programs.
Progressive Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have expressed reluctance to compromise on the issue, warning that any concession could be seen as a betrayal of their constituents. They argue that the shutdown has already become a significant crisis, and any attempt to find a resolution must focus on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers, such as Sen. Mike Rounds, have remained hopeful that a bipartisan agreement could be reached, stating that some Democrats are “tired of this” and may be willing to compromise.