There’s definitely a split among Senate Democrats regarding the ongoing government shutdown.
A faction of centrist lawmakers has started to seek a resolution to end the shutdown, which isn’t sitting well with their progressive counterparts. These progressives are energized by the recent election results and feel that the healthcare fight is one worth pursuing further.
Democrats faced a significant setback on Tuesday night with crucial victories in states like Virginia, New Jersey, California, and New York City, and President Trump even acknowledged this the next day.
However, these wins have become a double-edged sword for Democrats on Capitol Hill. They have sparked questions about the future of a shutdown that has now dragged on for 36 days, breaking records along the way.
Moderate Democrats are continuing discussions with Republicans and inching closer to a potential agreement to resolve the standoff. This prospect is causing concern among many progressives, who believe the election results signal it’s not time to back down.
“I really hope my colleagues interpret the election results as I do: take heart in knowing the American people are on our side,” noted Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “We’ve taken the right stand on this, and I hope this feeling is reinforced now.”
The potential agreement seems to revolve around a vote on certain Affordable Care Act subsidies that are about to expire, along with a short-term spending bill that would bundle three full-year funding measures.
But discussions aren’t only taking place between parties; there’s also a lot of internal dialogue within the Democratic caucus. About a dozen Democrats involved in negotiations had a meeting on Wednesday and are scheduled for a complete caucus discussion over lunch on Thursday, following a nearly three-hour meeting from Tuesday.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), part of the negotiation team, shared with reporters that talks are still moving forward despite the recent election outcomes.
“We’re having good discussions,” he mentioned post-lunch. “Things are still looking promising.”
At the core of the Democrat conversation lies the question of what constitutes a win after such an extended shutdown: is it simply an agreement on ACA aid or does it also need to include a vote on tax credits and assurance of full-year spending?
Progressives firmly believe that the former is the only viable path. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a leading advocate for maintaining the government shutdown in pursuit of a better healthcare deal, addressed reporters during a press conference organized by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) before the proposal was announced.
“You might know the saying, ‘If you fight, you win.’ Sound familiar?” Sanders remarked. “Well, the flip side is: if you don’t, you lose.”
Democrats have also found a bit of leverage from President Trump, who suggested that a government shutdown could be detrimental for Republicans in the recent elections. This was a rare moment of Republican vulnerability during the shutdown, encouraging progressives to keep pushing for a subsidy agreement.
Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York immediately sought to involve Trump in the negotiations, urging him and Republican leaders to gather for discussions aimed at breaking the impasse. Democratic lawmakers still feel that Trump holds a key role in reaching a resolution.
“The president’s reluctance to clarify what he desires and envisions is an issue for many,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). “It’s tough to pursue a compromise when the president’s not fully on board.”
According to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Trump intends to meet with both men strictly over healthcare once the government reopens, as he mentioned in a Wednesday morning phone call.
The ongoing discussions also suggest that senators may keep convening beyond Thursday afternoon, potentially holding unusual Friday or weekend sessions to address a possible agreement.
Thune hinted at this possibility on Wednesday, conditional on the negotiators’ progress.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), also part of the negotiating group, stated that while the election was a positive turn, something must be resolved regarding the shutdown.
He remarked, “[The American people] want us to solve problems. Last night was great, but it’s just one night in this year.” Kelly continued, “We’re still talking with Republicans about a rational way forward to tackle these high healthcare costs.” He added a poignant note about the ongoing situation: “We also understand the president is using children’s futures as leverage in this negotiation. It’s a serious issue that needs our attention.”
