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The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history is set to end after several Moderate Senate Democrats broke party lines and voted with Republicans on Sunday (November 9) to advance a funding bill that drops Democratic demands to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, per HuffPost.
The Senate could pass the deal as early as Monday (November 10), with the Republican-led House expected to follow later in the week, reopening the government after more than 40 days of closure.
For weeks, Democrats had insisted that any government funding measure also include an extension of ACA premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Those subsidies help millions afford health insurance, and their expiration could send premiums soaring.
Sunday's deal, brokered by Senator Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), omits the subsidy extension but guarantees a future Senate vote on the issue. That vote is widely expected to fail given Republican opposition.
Joining Shaheen, Hassan, and King in supporting the deal were Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), all moderates or members of leadership who claimed they prioritized ending the shutdown and protecting federal workers.
“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do,” Kaine said, noting that many federal employees live in his state. “Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box.”
The agreement will reverse all federal worker firings made during the shutdown, block further layoffs until January 2026, and boost funding for food assistance programs.
Progressives, however, slammed the compromise as a betrayal of Democratic priorities.
“It’s a terrible mistake,” Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said. “People want us to stand and fight for health care, and that’s what I believe.”
“I will not turn my back on the 24 million Americans whose health care premiums will now double or more as a result of the ACA tax credits expiring," Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) added.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (D-Tex.) also condemned the deal.
"Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation,” Casar said. “Millions of families will pay the price.”
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