UPDATE: The Senate has just voted 60-40 to advance a compromise bill aimed at ending the historic 37-day government shutdown. However, the future of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies remains in jeopardy, sparking internal dissent among Democrats.
This critical vote took place November 6, 2025, as a group of moderate Democrats opted to proceed without a firm commitment to extend the ACA subsidies, igniting frustration within their caucus. The current deal includes a series of annual spending bills, a reversal of federal worker firings, and back pay for federal employees, but it notably lacks assurance for health care tax credits that are set to expire on January 1.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal, pushing for an immediate vote to keep government operations from further disruption. Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted against the bill, citing concerns that Democrats were not adequately fighting for health care subsidies.
In a significant twist, former governors and current senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, along with Independent Angus King of Maine, played pivotal roles in breaking the six-week stalemate, facilitating a path forward for bipartisan support. Despite this, many Democrats expressed deep disappointment, arguing that the absence of guaranteed ACA subsidies undermines the party’s commitment to affordable health care.
With the potential for procedural delays, the final passage of the legislation could take several days. Senator Bernie Sanders characterized the decision to move forward without health care guarantees as a “horrific mistake,” while Senator Chris Murphy echoed that voters had called for a stronger stand from Democrats in recent elections.
The legislation not only aims to reopen the government but also includes provisions to reinstate federal workers who faced layoffs and ensure they receive back pay once the shutdown concludes. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to bringing any ACA extension to a vote in the House, leaving the future of health care subsidies uncertain.
Compounding the urgency, Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel disruptions could worsen as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches unless the government reopens soon. The Capital Area Food Bank reported significant impacts on federal worker families who have been unpaid throughout this shutdown.
As negotiations continue, the clock is ticking toward the promised mid-December vote on health care tax credits, with many advocating that Democrats must remain steadfast in their pursuit of health care affordability. If no agreement is reached, millions of Americans may suffer from rising health care costs due to potential premium increases.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The stakes are high, and the urgency to secure health care subsidies for Americans is greater than ever.
