While a number of Democratic lawmakers voice their support for a new bipartisan deal to end the 40-day federal government shutdown, members of the party's left flank are furious over the proposed agreement.
Progressive Democratic lawmakers and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the agreement reached Sunday by their party colleagues to reopen the government, citing fears that Democrats will give up without making any significant concessions in the fight over the shutdown. A group of Democrats said their party should withhold its votes until Republicans agree expand Affordable Care Act subsidies. (RELATED: Thune Warns Democrats Against Using Election Results to Continue Shutdown)
“We will not support a spending bill proposed by Senate Republicans that does not expand the Affordable Care Act tax breaks,” Jeffries wrote on X. “We will fight the GOP bill in the House,” the minority leader added.
The minority leader did not mention that eight Senate Democrats would have to vote “yes” on the spending bill to advance the legislation to the House. Only three members of the Democratic Party caucus have voted put forward a temporary spending bill since the start of the record lockdown; However, adding their support to that of 52 Republicans in the Senate does not reach the upper chamber's 60-vote threshold to pass the legislation.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters Sunday he opposes the bipartisan agreement.
However, a handful of Senate Democrats indicated On Sunday, they will change their stance to “yes” and support a bipartisan agenda to end the funding gap. Senate Republicans are also expected to support the agreement, with the exception of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who typically opposes government funding bills.
The new agreement includes a stopgap spending bill that extends state funding levels through the end of January 2026 and advances three appropriations bills for the full year.
The agreement notably lacks a guaranteed extension of expiring ACA subsidies. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested that Democrats vote on the ACA renewal bill of their choice in December. The measure, however, could face difficulty clearing the filibuster due to widespread Republican opposition to extending the subsidies without significant reform.
Jeffries said earlier Sunday that the yes vote prolong Obamacare subsidies, which are not guaranteed to be approved, are insufficient. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune especially proposed Democrats are voting to extend ACA subsidies beginning in mid-October.
Leading progressive Democrats in both the House and Senate agreed with Jeffries' argument.
“It would be a political and policy disaster for Democrats,” said Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is participating in a consultation meeting with Democrats. reporters Sunday.
“Rejecting a deal that does not fix our health care situation is and always has been a gigantic betrayal of the American people,” said Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. wrote Sunday, X. “Hold on. Save health care. I'm against anything that doesn't extend ACA subsidies.”
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 29: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) (R) announces that she, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and other members of Congress will reintroduce the Medicare for All Act at a rally on Capitol Hill on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego, who has said he opposes the deal, transmitted voting on the ACA bill as a “show vote” on X.
Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman Malcolm Kenyatta also expressed disapproval of the bipartisan agreement to end the lockdown. argue “Any ‘deal’ that ends with Democrats getting nothing more than a pinky promise in return is a mistake.”
However, some centrist Democrats argue it is time to end the record lockdown. The 40-day shutdown forced a number of government workers to work without pay, jeopardized federal food aid for millions of people and snarled air travel across the country due to security threats.
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger said Sunday that Senate Democrats must work with Republicans to immediately fund the government.
“The government needs to open, and it needs to open now,” Spanberger told CBS News' Margaret Brennan. “We need the president to show leadership by bringing people together and pushing through any negotiations, whether before or after.”
Asked by Brennan whether Democrats should view their election victory on Tuesday as justification for extending the shutdown, regardless of whether they receive concessions on extending ACA subsidies, Spanberger replied: “Absolutely not.”
“Virginians need and Virginians want government to reopen, and I expect we will see Congress, the Senate and ultimately the President leading us in that direction,” Spanberger said.
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