Telegram is where we really talk. Don't miss out!
The Senate is preparing to leave Washington on Friday until early next week, as both parties remain entrenched in the ongoing government shutdown.
Late Thursday night, lawmakers advanced the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act with a largely bipartisan vote. However, this $925 billion package, which funds the Pentagon, marked the Senate’s final action for the week.
Despite discussions about holding a last vote on the House GOP’s continuing resolution (CR) and a counter-proposal from congressional Democrats, the plan did not materialize, likely facing its eighth consecutive failure.
SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCK GOP PLAN AGAIN TO REOPEN GOVERNMENT AS MILITARY PAY DEADLINE LOOMS
Senate Republicans and Democrats will reconvene on Tuesday after Columbus Day to continue negotiations on the GOP’s CR, following a week of unsuccessful attempts to pass the bill and reopen the government.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., intends to persist in bringing the Republicans’ bill to the floor, aiming to create divisions among Senate Democrats. So far, only three members of the Democratic caucus have consistently broken ranks with their party.
While closed-door talks are ongoing, there have yet to be any significant negotiations regarding the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits as the shutdown approaches its third week.
“The ACA issue is important to a lot of us, not just to Democrats,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “The tax subsidies were enhanced during COVID. They do need to be reformed, but they must also be extended.”
SENATE ADVANCES 2026 DEFENSE BILL AFTER WEEKS OF DELAY AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., one of the few Republicans regularly meeting with Democrats, expressed frustration over the lack of movement. “I’m not meeting with lawmakers ‘so dug in that they can’t get off their position,’ but still, no cross-party progress has occurred,” he noted.
Mullin and other Republicans are advocating for a short-term CR until November 21, while Senate Democrats insist that they will not support the GOP’s efforts without an agreement on ACA subsidies.
“If this continues as it has, the longer we go, the harder it will be,” Mullin warned. “Anything related to ACA or healthcare involves many moving parts. It becomes increasingly difficult the longer this drags on. We have four and a half weeks left, and the timeframe keeps getting shorter.”
The Senate’s return next week also means military personnel will likely miss their paychecks on time, as payroll must be locked in by Monday.
“Certainly, if folks miss a paycheck, the intensity will go up,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V.
The ongoing impasse has left many Senate Republicans reluctant to consider the “nuclear option,” which they previously employed to change Senate rules regarding nominations to overcome a blockade by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
SENATE GOP RESISTS ‘NUCLEAR OPTION’ AS DEM SHUTDOWN STANDOFF DEEPENS
“There’s always a lot of swirl out there, as you know, from social media, etc., but no, we’re not having that conversation,” Thune stated.
However, some Republicans are open to the idea of revisiting the 60-vote filibuster rule as their proposals to reopen the government consistently fall five votes short. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, argued that if the shutdown persists, it should be considered. “Look, 50%, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. We’re about to hit that point next week. If there’s another missed paycheck, that could affect 80% of Americans. At that point, we need to recognize that Democrats are still playing political games,” he said.
Republicans have also found a new line of attack against Democrats. Schumer told Punchbowl News that “Every day gets better for us” regarding Senate Democrats’ political momentum as the shutdown continues.
“Who is ‘us?’ It’s not better for the American people,” countered Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. “It’s certainly not better for the military who are not getting paid, nor for the Border Patrol or air traffic controllers. Who is ‘us?’ He’s playing a game!”
In response, Senate Democrats largely dismissed the issue. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, claimed that Republicans are attempting to divert attention from the potential “114% increase in premiums” if ACA tax credits are not extended. “They’re a little desperate to change the news cycle, and this is their latest attempt,” Schatz remarked.
