The U.S. Senate is preparing for a crucial vote aimed at ending a federal government shutdown that has persisted for 40 days. Senators expect to vote on Sunday night to advance a bill that combines a short-term funding measure, which would finance government operations through January 2026, with a package of three full-year appropriations bills, as stated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. This amended proposal must still pass through the House of Representatives before reaching President Donald Trump for his signature, a process that may take several days.
Senate Democrats have been reluctant to support the funding measure, using the impasse to pressure Republicans into addressing healthcare subsidies that are set to expire. Under the current discussions, the Senate is likely to agree to hold a separate vote on these subsidies at a later date. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, indicated that while he would oppose the funding measure, there may be enough Democratic support to secure its passage. “I am unwilling to accept a vague promise of a vote at some indeterminate time,” he remarked.
The ongoing shutdown has had widespread consequences, affecting federal workers and disrupting services such as food aid, national parks, and travel. Concerns are mounting that staffing shortages at air traffic control could severely impact travel plans during the busy Thanksgiving holiday season, which falls on November 27, 2023. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, noted that the pressure of the shutdown’s effects is steering the Senate towards a resolution.
Economic implications are also at stake, as White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that prolonged shutdown could lead to negative economic growth in the fourth quarter if air travel does not normalize in time for Thanksgiving.
In the backdrop of these discussions, President Trump is advocating for a shift in how healthcare subsidies are structured. He has proposed replacing the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with direct payments to individuals. These subsidies have played a significant role in increasing ACA enrollment to 24 million since their introduction in 2021. “I stand ready to work with both Parties to solve this problem once the Government is open,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, criticizing the subsidies as “a windfall for Health Insurance Companies.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, confirmed in separate interviews that any healthcare proposals would not be entertained until after a federal funding measure is passed. “We are not going to negotiate with the Democrats until they reopen the government,” Bessent remarked on ABC’s “This Week” program.
Additionally, Americans seeking health insurance plans for 2026 are facing projections of over a doubling of monthly premiums, as pandemic-era subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans have refused a proposal by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for a one-year extension of tax credits that help lower costs for ACA plans in exchange for a vote to reopen the government.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff expressed concerns about Trump’s healthcare proposal, suggesting it would undermine the ACA by allowing insurance companies to deny coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. “He is saying: ‘I’m going to give you more power to cancel people’s policies,’” Schiff said during a discussion on ABC.
As the Senate approaches this critical vote, the outcome will not only affect government operations but also the broader economic landscape and the healthcare framework in the United States.
