The conventional wisdom about government shutdowns is that they always fail, but this time Democrats were surprisingly successful in shifting blame to Donald Trump and highlighting key issues like healthcare. Polls consistently placed blame on Trump, and his approval ratings declined during the shutdown. Democrats were poised to gain from the situation, potentially forcing Republicans to end the filibuster, but some Democratic senators ultimately defected. Despite the potential for a more democratic outcome, Democrats opted to withdraw, even though the short-term pain would have been significant.
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The Senate passed a bill on Monday to fund the government through January, potentially ending the longest government shutdown in history. The breakthrough came after several Democrats broke with their party to vote with Republicans. The deal includes a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, though House Speaker Mike Johnson couldn’t guarantee a vote. The White House endorsed the proposal, federal workers will receive back pay, and the deal includes a reversal of mass firings of federal workers since the shutdown began.
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Following a Senate vote, eight Democrats joined Republicans to end a government shutdown without securing significant concessions. This move sparked outrage from progressives and other lawmakers, who accused the Democrats of capitulation. Critics lamented the failure to address rising healthcare premiums or restore Medicaid funding, while the deal offered only a “meaningless” promise of a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. The vote has been interpreted as a missed opportunity to stand up against Trump’s policies, especially after recent electoral wins showed the electorate’s desire for resistance.
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In a pivotal move to end the government shutdown, the Senate voted to proceed with compromise legislation, despite objections from many Democrats regarding the lack of guaranteed extension for health care subsidies. A group of moderate Democrats agreed to advance three bipartisan spending bills and extend government funding until January in exchange for a vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. This agreement, which would also reinstate federal workers and ensure back pay, was met with criticism from House Democrats. Although the deal moved forward, the future of the health care subsidies and the potential for any common ground between the parties on the matter remained uncertain.
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Democrats across the ideological spectrum are criticizing a deal to end the government shutdown, viewing it as a betrayal of the party’s goals. The deal, negotiated by moderate Senators, would offer a future, likely failing, vote on extending Obamacare subsidies in exchange for reopening the government. Many, including DNC Chair Ken Martin and progressive officials, are condemning the agreement for failing to secure meaningful concessions on healthcare, an issue where Democrats hold an advantage. Criticism is particularly strong among those with little influence in the deal, setting the stage for potential opposition in the House and upcoming Senate primaries.
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Schiff says Republicans may ‘cheat’ on any shutdown compromise. This sentiment, or a variation of it, seems to be a widespread belief among many, reflecting a deep-seated distrust in the Republican Party’s willingness to uphold their end of any negotiated agreement during a government shutdown. The phrase “They will cheat. No question about that” captures the essence of this skepticism, a sentiment that permeates the entire discussion.
The implication is clear: any compromise reached, any promise made, is potentially a setup, a strategic maneuver designed to extract concessions without any intention of following through. The repeated references to “cheating,” “lying,” and “negotiating in bad faith” reinforce this perception, painting a picture of a political environment where integrity is secondary to ideological gains and political maneuvering.… Continue reading
As the government shutdown persists, the Senate convened over the weekend with little progress made toward a resolution. The stalemate, now in its 39th day, continues to negatively impact the country, affecting federal workers, airlines, and SNAP benefits. While moderate Democrats have proposed a plan to end the shutdown in exchange for a future vote on “Obamacare” subsidies, President Trump is unlikely to compromise. Democrats face a critical decision: continue fighting for an extension of the subsidies or vote to reopen the government with the promise of a future health care vote.
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Rep. Tim Burchett predicts the ongoing government shutdown will persist beyond Thanksgiving, citing the need for Democrats to concede on healthcare issues. He believes that negotiations will only occur after Democrats are willing to come to the table and discuss expanding health care subsidies. Republicans maintain their position, while Democrats are focused on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, a stance Republicans view as a nonstarter. Republicans view the program as broken, and are therefore unwilling to negotiate until the government is reopened.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has recently gone viral for his strong criticism of Donald Trump and his policies. During a recent speech, Pritzker condemned Trump’s actions, including dismantling the Department of Education and attacking marginalized communities. Pritzker has consistently expressed his determination to protect LGBTQ+ rights and has taken actions, such as establishing a free hotline and signing legislation protecting libraries from banning books, to support these values. His bold stance has included calling out Trump’s administration and advocating for progressive causes, even urging Democrats to fight back against the former president’s actions.
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The recent impasse between Senate Republicans and Democrats continues as Republicans rejected a Democratic offer to extend expiring health care subsidies for a year. The core of the disagreement revolves around Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key point of contention during the ongoing 38-day government shutdown. This rejection has exacerbated disruptions to air travel and the provision of food aid. The parties remain at odds despite Democrats’ attempt to find common ground.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood