By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The federal government has shut down after Congress failed to reach a deal before the deadline. It’s the first shutdown since 2019.
Tuesday evening, the Senate rejected not one, but two competing funding bills—paving the way for the shutdown.
Any last-minute deal appeared very unlikely Tuesday as the Senate remained deadlocked. Lawmakers failed to pass either party’s plan to keep the lights on in Washington. The divide comes down to healthcare. Democrats want to reverse Medicaid cuts, preserve Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and prevent the White House from slashing congressionally approved funds.
“Our perspective is health care costs are going to skyrocket if we don’t reach a deal,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). “We do not want the Republicans to shut down the government because they’re unwilling to lower health care costs.”
“I want them to understand that Americans cannot take more increases to their health care and that it is worth coming to the table and restoring those health care investments,” Gillibrand said when referring to her Republican colleagues.
But not all Democrats were unified. Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman broke ranks, joining Republicans to support the GOP’s clean continuing resolution—saying the priority should be avoiding a shutdown.
“If that happens, that’s a sad day for the country,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). “Keep the government open and then keep it open and then debate and figure out some kinds of compromise.”
Democratic Sens. Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto and independent Sen. Angus King voted for the GOP’s clean proposal. GOP Sen. Rand Paul voted against it.
“We should add more or extend more health benefits, but that’s not the opportunity to shut our government down,” said Sen. Fetterman.
Republicans argue Democrats are dragging out negotiations with demands they call unrealistic.
“Democrats may have chosen to shut down the government tonight, but we can reopen it tomorrow. All it takes is a handful of Democrats to join Republicans to pass the clean, non-partisan funding bill that’s in front of us,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). “I really hope that some of them will join us to reopen the government, resume bipartisan appropriations work, and get back to the business of the American people.”
The Republicans’ seven-week funding bill—that did not include boosts for ACA tax credits—fell five votes short of the 60 needed. The Democratic alternative—funding the government with those subsidies included—also came up short, but by 13 votes.
