The fight in the Senate over the shutdown was the Democrats’ demand to guarantee an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Eight Democrats were needed for the 60-40 vote to send the bill to the House.
Democrats who voted across the aisle are Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Sen. Angus King of Maine (Independent but caucuses with Democrats), Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.
One Republican voted in opposition: Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
“[T]here is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses,” Paul said in a statement on X.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer did not vote for the final deal.
The funding package will fund the government until Jan. 30, 2026. This would let SNAP and other essential programs stay up and running. That date, however, is being seen by Democrats as the next day they will fight again when the funding runs out.
The gridlock was over the enhanced ACA subsidies implemented by a Democratic-controlled Congress in 2021. With this bill being passed, healthcare premiums will spike for many middle- and lower-income households. Annual premiums for subsidized enrollees will increase by an average of 114%, from $888 this year to $1,904 next year, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research organization.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson did not guarantee a vote on the ACA subsidies Democrats have been fighting for. Johnson was asked, “Will you assure House Democrats they’ll get a vote on ACA subsidies by a date certain?” He replied with his unwillingness, saying, “No… I’m not promising anybody anything.”
The House voted late on Nov. 12 on the Senate-approved budget bill. The final vote was 222 “yea” and 209 “nay,” sending the bill to President Trump.
The six Democrats in the House who voted in favor of the bill were Rep. Adam Gray of California, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York and Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina.
Two Republicans in the House voted in opposition, those being Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Greg Steube of Florida.
Trump signed the budget bill at 10:25 p.m. on Nov. 12, ending the shutdown.
