BACK IN BUSINESS? Senate Advances Deal to End Shutdown, Democrat Civil War Breaks Out

The Senate voted late Sunday night to end debate on a bipartisan deal that would finally close the curtain on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The agreement, keeping Washington funded through Jan. 30, 2026, passed its first hurdle with a surprising show of unity: seven Democrats and one independent crossed the aisle to join 52 Republicans in breaking the filibuster.

Among the defectors: Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, John Fetterman, and Maine’s Angus King.

The lone GOP “no”? Kentucky firebrand Rand Paul.

The package covers SNAP benefits, veterans’ programs, and congressional operations through Sept. 30, 2026. A final Senate vote could come as soon as Monday, before heading to President Trump’s desk.

But not everyone’s celebrating.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the deal, furious that it only allows a vote — not a guarantee — on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring later this year.

“Democrats have been fighting for months to address America’s healthcare crisis,” Schumer fumed on X, warning millions could lose coverage and face soaring costs.

Democrats have been fighting for months to address America’s healthcare crisis

For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won’t get the care they need
For working families who can’t afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare

We will keep fighting

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 10, 2025

Bernie Sanders was blunter: “Tonight was a very bad night.”

Tonight was a very bad night. pic.twitter.com/t2rM48XEyV

— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 10, 2025

Over in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted the deal as a GOP sellout.

“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House…a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” he said. “We will fight the GOP bill…where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven-week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation.”

My statement on the spending legislation and Republican healthcare crisis. pic.twitter.com/lKsft6fbJ6

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) November 9, 2025

Speaker Johnson, meanwhile, has kept the House dark since Sept. 19 — when his chamber passed its own short-term funding bill through Nov. 21, only to see Senate Democrats block it 14 times.

Now, after seven weeks of brinkmanship, the stage is set: the longest shutdown in U.S. history could end within days.

And Democrats are the ones seething.