Democrat leaders are grappling with the first major signs of their coalition fraying as the government shutdown enters its fourth week. A pivotal moment came Monday when the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a powerful federal employee union, called on Congress to pass a ‘clean’ stopgap funding bill, effectively urging Democrats to end the impasse with Republicans. The union’s plea has put Democratic lawmakers in a defensive position, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other leaders now under pressure to find a resolution.
Despite the AFGE’s demand, there has been no immediate surrender from Democrats, who continue to blame President Donald Trump for the shutdown. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) acknowledged the union’s concerns, stating that their “friendship” with the AFGE is significant, but added that Democrats would “take them seriously.” The union’s push for a ‘clean’ funding bill aligns with Republican proposals, yet Democrats have remained steadfast in their refusal to negotiate under the current circumstances.
The shutdown’s financial consequences are becoming increasingly dire. By the end of the week, military personnel will miss their next paycheck, SNAP benefits will expire, and health insurance premiums for ACA exchange users could spike as open enrollment begins. Air travel has also been severely impacted, with an escalating crisis at Los Angeles International Airport due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a strong advocate for addressing the ACA and SNAP issues, expressed caution about the ongoing shutdown. He acknowledged that while the party could still tackle these issues, the prolonged stalemate poses a significant challenge. He remained cautious about whether the AFGE’s appeal would alter his position, stating, “Let’s see.”
Senate Democratic leaders, including Schumer and Durbin, have been meeting in closed-door sessions to strategize a path forward. While Schumer emphasized the need for Trump to shift his focus from international diplomacy to resolving the shutdown, the party has not budged in its stance. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that Democrats are not backing down, maintaining that their position has not changed for weeks.
Bipartisan frustration is growing as the shutdown drags on, with few signs of progress. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), known for her independent streak, called for a change in the Senate’s usual four-day workweek, suggesting they gavel in on Friday to address the crisis. She described the situation as a “freight train” of problems, emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
Meanwhile, Republicans continue to face internal divisions over whether to support standalone votes on specific issues like SNAP and military pay. Senate GOP leaders are cautious about easing pressure on Democrats, who are showing signs of internal division but are unlikely to yield. Some Republican senators, including Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, are pushing for bills to alleviate immediate pain points, and their proposals are expected to gain Democratic support.
Democrats, however, remain focused on holding Trump accountable for the shutdown, especially as he is currently on his second foreign trip in a month. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and others have emphasized the need for Trump to prioritize negotiations over international travel. Van Hollen is in talks with Republican Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to find an agreement on legislation that would support federal employees and military troops, but Democrats are also considering measures to limit Trump’s ability to fire federal workers during the shutdown.
As deadlines loom for critical programs, the political stalemate continues, with both parties struggling to find common ground. The situation is expected to intensify in the coming days as the impact of the shutdown becomes more pronounced, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and everyday Americans.