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On the heels of a historic 43-day authorities shutdown, Democrats are going through robust questions on whether or not the record-breaking standoff was value it, and whether or not Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer gave up too quickly.
After failing to safe the healthcare subsidies they demanded, and with a number of senators breaking ranks to affix Republicans in reopening the federal government — a transfer broadly seen as a black eye on Schumer’s management — Senate Democrats continued responsible President Donald Trump and the GOP for the shutdown when pressed by Fox Information Digital.
“I am disillusioned and indignant that Republicans compelled a false and not possible alternative between healthcare insurance coverage and reopening the federal government,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., mentioned Wednesday. “They promised that there might be a vote on extending the healthcare subsidies. In the event that they fail to offer that vote, or if the vote fails, they need to be held accountable. They’re to be blamed.”
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS TURN ON PARTY LEADERSHIP AFTER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS WITHOUT HEALTHCARE GUARANTEES
The U.S. Capitol constructing in Washington, D.C., is seen on Nov. 5, 2025. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg through Getty Photos)
Blumenthal charged that it was Republicans who “compelled the false alternative between reopening the federal government and reasonably priced medical insurance,” which he mentioned has been “seen reprehensibly by the American individuals, and rightly so.”
Like a lot of his Democratic colleagues, the Connecticut senator sidestepped a query about whether or not Schumer may have carried out extra to carry the road on negotiations.
SENATE VOTE TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IGNITES DEMOCRAT CIVIL WAR
Seven Democratic senators, together with one unbiased who caucuses with them, and 6 Home Democrats voted to reopen the federal government final week, with out extending the pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies that Democrats had pushed for because the shutdown started on Oct. 1.
The intraparty revolt has uncovered a widening rift between Democratic management and its left flank, as progressive candidates accused Schumer of surrendering leverage to Republicans in trade for a funding deal that left key healthcare priorities unresolved.
“We’ve got federal staff throughout the nation which have been lacking paychecks. We’ve got SNAP recipients, tens of millions of SNAP recipients throughout the nation whose entry to meals stability was imperiled, and we have now to determine what that was for,” Ocasio-Cortez mentioned final week, earlier than including, “We can’t allow this sort of cruelty with our cowardice.”
Again on Capitol Hill this week, Democrats have been much less prepared responsible Schumer for the Democrats who broke ranks, as a substitute blaming Republicans for the ultimatum.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., speaks throughout a information convention on Capitol Hill on July 17, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Photos)
When requested if the shutdown was value it, Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the rating member of the Home Oversight Committee, advised Fox Information Digital that Democrats “ought to completely proceed preventing for healthcare.”
And Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., mentioned, “I do not suppose you may take a look at a shutdown from that type of perspective” of whether or not it was value it.
“I believe what’s completely clear is that Republicans now personal this healthcare disaster,” McBride added. “Individuals very clearly perceive that it was Republicans who’re stopping at nothing to stop a vote on the Inexpensive Care Act tax credit score, together with having been prepared to close down the federal government.”
“I voted in opposition to reopening with out having secured the modifications to healthcare and addressing the healthcare-increase spikes. That is still the main focus, that is still the work forward of us nonetheless,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., mentioned when pressed on the identical query and with out answering whether or not the federal government is headed for an additional shutdown.
Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., speaks throughout a information convention in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP through Getty Photos)
Democrats who spoke to Fox Information Digital mentioned they hoped the federal government is not headed for an additional shutdown however maintained that the celebration ought to proceed to combat for healthcare ensures.
Whereas the federal government reopened final week, the stopgap funding invoice solely retains federal spending at present fiscal-year-2025 ranges via Jan. 30 to offer Congress extra time to barter a longer-term appropriations package deal for fiscal 12 months 2026. If Congress cannot attain a consensus, the federal government may very well be headed towards one other shutdown.
As a part of a backroom deal to reopen the federal government, Senate Democrats have been promised a separate vote on extending healthcare subsidies.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., attends the Day 2 of the Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 20, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Reuters)
“I definitely hope we’ll keep away from one other authorities shutdown, however, once more, Republicans promised a vote on extending the healthcare tax credit score subsidies. In the event that they fail to offer that vote, or if the vote fails, they’re going to be responsible. They’re going to be held accountable,” Blumenthal mentioned.
And Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., mentioned he was wanting ahead to Republicans having the chance to go on the document by voting on the healthcare ensures this December.
As for whether or not the federal government is barreling towards one other shutdown, Kelly mentioned, “[You] gotta ask the President and the Republicans within the Home and Senate.”
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Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kristen Gillibrand and Elissa Slotkin didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s query about whether or not the shutdown was value it, and their places of work didn’t instantly reply to additional inquiries.
When reached for remark, White Home Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson flipped the script on the Democrats who positioned blame on Republicans for the federal government shutdown.
“Democrats shut down the federal government and inflicted nice ache on the American individuals as a result of they needed to make use of struggling households as ‘leverage’ for his or her far left agenda,” Jackson advised Fox Information Digital.
“President Trump defeated their absurd gambit and delivered yet one more win to the American individuals, nevertheless it’s alarming that even after their ploy failed, Democrats nonetheless can’t admit their shutdown harm the American individuals,” she added.
