Now I'm seeing press reports confirming the chatter I heard this afternoon, namely that Senate Democrats have offered to vote to continue the resolution in exchange for a one-year extension of Obamacare subsidies and the creation of some kind of bipartisan kumbaya health care negotiating group. There seem to be other budget items out there too. It's not clear to me if there is anything about cancellations. But the main news is the headline. The closure ends in exchange for a one-year extension of Obamacare funding. I heard Senate Majority Leader John Thune say no. But Axios speaks The Senate will meet this afternoon to discuss the proposal.
When I first heard this news, it seemed like a pretty weak Democratic position, sort of the least concrete issue possible. But when I thought about it a little more, I decided that it wasn't quite right. People are getting immediate relief after more than a month of headlines about Democrats demanding relief. And a one-year extension would lead to a new health care coverage cliff in the days immediately before and after Election Day for the 2026 midterm elections, putting this critical issue at the center of next year's campaign. Unless a more permanent restoration is agreed upon before Election Day, people will begin receiving notice of significant premium increases about a week before Election Day. In terms of election, I definitely understand the logic.
I would continue to push for a reversal of the new round of layoffs and an end to major infrastructure and energy projects in blue states. I don't know if this is included. I would require a few more things. But overall I see the logic in this.
If Thune says no, well… let it last longer. Trump was right in this tweet. The shutdown is a slow-moving disaster for Republicans and the White House. Trump's approval numbers have been dropping steadily for weeks. All counting experts agree on this. To make the obvious point, the shutdown is deeply damaging to Trump and the Republican Party. I think they know this.
