The United States Senate is set to return to Washington on Monday, with less than two days to fund the government, as a stalemate between Democrats and Republicans has increased the likelihood of a government shutdown this week. The House of Representatives approved a GOP-led continuing resolution to keep the government funded until November 21, but the measure fell short in the Senate, as Democrats pushed for a counter-proposal that would keep the government funded through October, while attaching a handful of their priorities.
Republicans have a majority in the Senate, with 53 seats, but they need the support of Democrats to advance most legislation, as 60 votes are required for passage. Democrats have been pushing to extract a more favorable outcome in the spending fight, facing pressure from their base to push back on the Trump administration’s policies. However, this posture has proven complicated for the party, which has repeatedly supported efforts to keep the government funded.
Democrats Push for Negotiations
Both parties have pushed for a stopgap measure to keep the government funded while work on full-year appropriations bills continues, but Democrats have advocated for weeks for taking the funding effort to the negotiating table. The Democrats’ proposal includes one of their key priorities — extending expiring health insurance subsidies — and would extend government funding until October 31, while also boosting security funding.
The proposal includes a permanent extension of enhanced tax credits for Americans who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, which Democrats have suggested is a red line for their support. The subsidies, which were originally passed in 2021, are set to expire at the end of the year. Additionally, the proposed measure includes language to roll back Medicaid restrictions in President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and restore funding for public broadcasters that was rescinded earlier this year.
The Shutdown Blame Game
Democrats and Republicans have preempted the possible shutdown in recent days, seeking to put the blame on the other party should Congress fail to fund the government. With Republicans in the majority, Democrats have argued that they should bear responsibility for keeping the government open and should be willing to negotiate to do so. However, Republicans have insisted that there’s no need, since Democrats regularly support “clean” continuing resolutions to keep the government funded.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has accused Democrats of using a seven-week funding resolution to “try and get a whole laundry list of things that they want,” and taking “the federal government as a hostage.” Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has faced intense pressure from his party to stand up to the Trump administration and its policies in the spending fight. Schumer has pledged to fight the GOP funding plan and has urged Republicans to negotiate with Democrats.
Meeting with the President
Democratic leaders are set to meet with President Trump on Monday, alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, to discuss government funding. The meeting comes after the president canceled an initial meeting last week, citing the Democrats’ “unserious and ridiculous” demands. The Trump administration has upped the ante, with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget sending a memo to federal agencies telling them to consider reduction-in-force notices, or layoffs, for employees in programs, projects, or activities that received discretionary funding.
Schumer has called the meeting a “first step,” saying “we need a serious negotiation.” However, President Trump has said that a government shutdown is likely unless top Democrats back down from their negotiating position. The possible shutdown has significant implications for the country, with federal agencies halting non-essential functions and thousands of employees facing layoffs.
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