Senate still in gridlock as US government shutdown enters 40th day
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As the US government shutdown drags into day 40, Senate negotiations stall over healthcare subsidies, leaving federal workers unpaid and aid programs at risk.
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The US Capitol is photographed on the 37th day of the government shutdown, on November 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
The US government shutdown entered its 40th day on Sunday, as senators remained in Washington through the weekend to resolve the funding impasse that has disrupted air travel, threatened food assistance for millions, and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay.
Despite the extended session, the Senate has made limited progress. Republican leadership is seeking support for a package of bills to temporarily reopen the government into January and approve full-year funding for select departments. However, Democrats remain hesitant to back the plan. "We’re only a handful of votes away" from passing a bill to reopen the government, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Saturday.
At the core of the deadlock is a disagreement over extending enhanced healthcare subsidies provided through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Democratic leaders are demanding that any deal include a commitment to prolong these subsidies, which are set to expire. In turn, Republicans have rejected the proposal but have shown some interest in an alternative plan put forth by moderate Democrats.
The compromise under discussion would end the government shutdown now, in exchange for a future vote on the healthcare subsidies. According to analysts, without Congressional action, average premiums for those enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans are expected to more than double next year.
Democrats are demanding a one-year extension of the subsidies to ensure coverage remains affordable for lower-income families after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that allowing them to expire would have real consequences. "Doing nothing is derelict because people will go bankrupt, people will lose insurance, people will get sicker," he said in a floor speech Saturday.
Moreover, some Republican senators have expressed openness to continuing the subsidies under stricter eligibility guidelines. "We’re going to replace this broken system with something actually better for the consumer," said Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Trump pressures GOP to end filibuster
President Donald Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to abolish the Senate filibuster rule to bypass Democratic resistance. Over the weekend, he reiterated his call to end the standoff and pass funding without opposition support.
Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, stating in an online post that Republicans who favor keeping the filibuster are "wrong." Despite pressure from Trump, most Republicans have declined to take up the proposal, opting instead to seek a bipartisan path forward.
Republican leaders are preparing a new legislative package modeled on the moderates’ proposal. If Senate Majority Leader Thune chooses to move forward, a test vote could come in the next few days. Democrats will face a strategic decision: continue holding out for a firm deal on healthcare subsidies, prolonging the government shutdown, or accept a tentative promise of future action and reopen the government immediately.
The current shutdown began on October 1, and the House-passed legislation has been rejected 14 times by Senate Democrats. The most recent measure would only extend government funding through November 21.
