Shutdown Day 40: The federal shutdown hit its 40th day as senators worked a crucial weekend to break an impasse that has disrupted travel, threatened food aid and left federal workers unpaid. Republicans proposed short-term funding through January while moderates floated a package that pairs targeted funding with a promise of a later vote on expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats insist on extending those subsidies now, warning premiums could more than double next year if Congress does not act. The Senate may hold a test vote soon, forcing a high-stakes choice between reopening the government immediately or holding out for concrete health-care guarantees.
Government Shutdown Day 40: Senate Scrambles to End Impasse Amid Fight Over ACA Subsidies
Shutdown Day 40: The federal shutdown hit its 40th day as senators worked a crucial weekend to break an impasse that has disrupted travel, threatened food aid and left federal workers unpaid. Republicans proposed short-term funding through January while moderates floated a package that pairs targeted funding with a promise of a later vote on expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats insist on extending those subsidies now, warning premiums could more than double next year if Congress does not act. The Senate may hold a test vote soon, forcing a high-stakes choice between reopening the government immediately or holding out for concrete health-care guarantees.
20:15, 09.11.2025Politics
Government shutdown stretches into 40th day as senators race to find a solution
WASHINGTON — The federal government entered its 40th day of shutdown on Sunday as senators convened a weekend session in a final push to break a stalemate that has disrupted flights nationwide, threatened food assistance for millions and left many federal employees unpaid.
The Senate showed little clear progress over what could be a decisive weekend. Republican leaders sought votes on measures that would reopen the government through January while also approving full-year funding for certain agencies — a plan that still required significant Democratic backing to pass.
“We’re only a handful of votes away” from passing measures to restore funding, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Saturday.
Democrats have insisted on extending enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans; Republicans have rejected that demand so far. Still, GOP negotiators signaled interest in a proposal from a small group of centrist Democrats that would end the shutdown now in return for a pledge to hold a later vote on the health-care subsidies that help lower premiums for many enrollees.
Officials warn that, if Congress does not renew the enhanced marketplace subsidies, average premiums for people in the exchanges could more than double next year.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, called a mere promise of a future vote a “wasteful gesture” unless House Speaker Mike Johnson and the president commit to backing the extension and signing it into law.
President Donald Trump reiterated on Sunday that he is unlikely to make immediate concessions and again urged Republicans to consider eliminating the Senate filibuster — the 60-vote threshold that blocks most legislation — writing on social media: “Be the Smart Party.”
Moderates push a compromise
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and a group of moderate senators have discussed bills that would immediately fund targeted programs — including food assistance, veterans’ services and the legislative branch — while carrying a short-term extension for other agencies through December or January, paired with a commitment to a future health-care vote.
It remained uncertain whether enough Senate Democrats would support such a package. Even if they did, Trump has signaled he may not back an extension of the subsidies, and Speaker Johnson has declined to guarantee a House vote on the issue.
Senate Republicans need roughly five additional votes to advance funding legislation; the negotiating group has included about 10 to 12 Democratic senators at various points.
Some Republicans expressed openness to continuing COVID-era tax credits that currently help lower marketplace premiums, but they want to add restrictions on eligibility and route payments directly to individuals. “We’re going to replace this broken system with something that is actually better for the consumer,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said.
President Trump called the current law “THE WORST HEALTHCARE FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE” in a social media post Sunday.
What comes next
Thune signaled interest in a bipartisan package that mirrors many elements of the moderates’ proposal, though he has largely refrained from negotiating directly with Democrats. That proposal would replace a House-passed bill Democrats have rejected repeatedly; the current House measure would fund government only until Nov. 21.
If Thune moves the new proposal, the Senate could hold a test vote in the coming days. Democrats would then face a difficult choice: continue resisting to secure a concrete, extended fix for the subsidies that expire in January — and risk prolonging the shutdown — or vote to reopen the government now based on promises of a future health-care vote that are not guaranteed.
“Doing nothing is derelict because people will go bankrupt, people will lose insurance, people will get sicker,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech Saturday. “That’s what will happen if this Congress fails to act.”
Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Joey Cappelletti, Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.