Senate Democrats Fold as Republicans Push Forward to Reopen Government

After 40 days of political gridlock, the Senate finally took a major step toward reopening the federal government but not before a humiliating cave-in by Democrat leadership that left their party fractured and scrambling for a win.

On Sunday, eight Senate Democrats crossed the aisle to side with Republicans on a revamped continuing resolution (CR), marking the first real movement toward ending the shutdown. The deal offered no guaranteed action on Obamacare subsidies, which Democrats had spent weeks demanding in exchange for cooperation.

So what did they get? Some mild promises, vague assurances of a future vote on expiring health care subsidies, and a resolution that still needs to clear the House before President Donald Trump can sign it.

Let’s be honest this was a collapse.

The defecting Democrats included some big names:

• Dick Durbin (D-IL), the second-highest Democrat in the Senate

• John Fetterman (D-PA)

• Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

• Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

• Tim Kaine (D-VA)

• And others who’ve been pushing “bipartisanship” as cover for buckling under pressure

They joined Republicans to approve the first procedural step toward reopening the government through January 30, 2026, combining the modified CR with three individual spending bills.

Sen. Angus King (I-ME), a key defector, admitted the truth “It would not produce that result. And the evidence for that is almost seven weeks of fruitless attempts to make that happen.”

Translation: Democrats failed, and now they’re cutting their losses.

Chuck Schumer, who voted against the measure, blasted his own party’s compromise, claiming “This healthcare crisis is so severe, so urgent, so devastating for families back home that I cannot, in good faith, support this CR that fails to address the healthcare crisis.”

What crisis, exactly? The so-called “Obamacare subsidies” that Democrats are desperate to extend mostly benefit insurance companies, not patients. Republicans have rightly pointed out that continuing to pour taxpayer money into a broken system does nothing to solve the real issue out-of-control costs, limited options, and bloated bureaucracies.

Even Sen. Bernie Sanders lashed out, warning “If Democrats cave on this issue, what it will say to Donald Trump is that he has a green light to go forward toward authoritarianism.”

Really, Bernie? Reopening the government without caving to socialist healthcare demands is now “authoritarianism”?

The progressive meltdown continued across the aisle. Democrats admitted the Obamacare issue wasn’t solved and likely won’t be. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) made it clear “I will schedule a vote on their proposal... no later than the second week in December.”

But even that vote is unlikely to pass just another empty promise that Democrats can pretend was a win.

So what did Americans get out of this?

• A path to end a damaging, unnecessary shutdown

• Restoration of pay for furloughed federal workers

• A commitment to avoid another bloated omnibus bill

• No sweeping new entitlements or handouts to the insurance lobby

Meanwhile, Democrats got exposed. Exposed for using a shutdown as a political hostage situation. Exposed for trying to ram through healthcare “reforms” with no accountability. Exposed for splintering under pressure.

This wasn’t just a procedural vote it was a political reckoning. Republicans stood firm. Trump stayed focused. And Democrats, once again, revealed they’re willing to burn the house down if it means getting their way.

If you're ready to see more accountability and fewer political games, share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for updates that cut through the noise.