Moderate Democrats Propose Deal to End Shutdown, Tie Funding to Health Vote
Moderates push Senate pact amid crisis.
A group of moderate Democrats, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Independent Angus King, has proposed a tentative agreement to end the 40-day government shutdown. The plan would pass three full-year spending bills and extend remaining funding until late January, contingent on Republicans scheduling a vote by mid-December on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies set to lapse January 1.
The proposal includes immediate funding for food assistance, veterans’ programs, and legislative operations, alongside reinstatement of federal workers facing layoffs and reimbursement for states that sustained federal functions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated progress earlier Sunday, while President Trump, returning from a public event, stated the shutdown appeared near resolution. A procedural vote to advance the legislation could occur as early as Sunday evening.
Opposition within Democratic ranks remains strong. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced he would vote against the measure, and Senator Bernie Sanders described capitulation as a grave error. Several Democrats insist on concrete action to prevent premium increases for millions under the Affordable Care Act. House progressives, including Representative Greg Casar, condemned the framework as insufficient, warning it abandons vulnerable families.
Also Read: Three Indian-Origin Muslim Democrats Hand President Trump His First Political Defeat
The shutdown’s impact continues to escalate. Airlines canceled over 2,000 flights Sunday—the highest single-day total since the closure began—with more than 7,000 delays reported. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel could collapse before Thanksgiving. Food aid disruptions affect tens of millions, with states facing legal and operational chaos after the Supreme Court stayed lower-court rulings on benefit payments.
Passage remains uncertain. Republicans require only a few Democratic votes to prevail, but procedural delays by opponents could extend debate for days. The outcome hinges on whether moderates secure enough support to override internal resistance and whether Republicans honor the promised health care vote—determining whether government reopens or the crisis deepens into the holiday season.
Also Read: Mamdani to Trump: 'Turn the Volume Up'; President Fires Back, '...AND SO IT BEGINS!'
