Democrats in Congress held their ground against President Donald Trump, leading to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. However, a group of Democratic senators has reached a deal to end the shutdown, potentially jeopardizing the political edge they had gained over the past six weeks. Polls consistently indicated that the public sided with Democrats during the shutdown, placing more blame on Republicans or Trump for the situation. Most voters also supported Democrats on the critical issue at the center of the standoff in Congress — the impending expiration of health insurance subsidies that could increase premiums for millions of Americans.
After 40 days of the shutdown, Democrats have secured only a Republican commitment to vote on extending the subsidies, a vote they are likely to lose. Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson mocked the Democrats for this outcome. Some prominent Democrats criticized the deal, with California Governor Gavin Newsom calling it “pathetic” and others labeling it a “surrender.”
Despite facing criticism, the Democrats may have gained intangible benefits from the shutdown. The shutdown’s impact was being felt across the country, with thousands of flight cancellations, federal workers going unpaid, and low-income Americans at risk of losing benefits.
Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks to help advance the bill to end the shutdown, emphasizing that the achievable goals had been met and further efforts were unlikely to succeed. The deal is expected to pass in the House, aided by the Republicans’ slim majority. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to continue the fight, highlighting the potential health care cost increases as a key issue for the Democrats moving forward.
