Eight Democratic-Aligned Senators Break Ranks to End Historic US Shutdown

Eight Democratic-Aligned Senators Break Ranks to End Historic US Shutdown

Eight Senate Democrats and one independent senator defied party leadership on Sunday, voting with Republicans to reopen the federal government after a record-breaking shutdown. The move ended weeks of deadlock, though it required concessions on healthcare subsidies-a key Democratic demand.

Why the Defections Matter

The shutdown, the longest in US history, left hundreds of thousands of federal employees unpaid and disrupted essential services. Democrats had resisted prior funding deals, arguing that expiring healthcare subsidies for millions of households needed resolution first. The final agreement included a promise for a December vote on extending those subsidies.

Who Crossed Party Lines?

Tim Kaine (Virginia)

Kaine, Hillary Clinton's 2016 running mate, cited the shutdown's toll on Virginia's 300,000 federal workers. He argued the deal would "protect federal workers from baseless firings" and ensure back pay, referencing a 2019 law he authored. "This legislation sets us on a path to fixing Republicans' healthcare mess," he said.

Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)

A lead negotiator, Shaheen framed the deal as restoring bipartisan spending processes, including funds for food assistance and veterans' healthcare. "Waiting longer would only prolong the pain Americans are feeling," she stated, noting Republicans refused to address healthcare during shutdown talks.

Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire)

Hassan emphasized the shutdown's impact on constituents facing rising healthcare costs. "A functioning government means our kids eat, our elderly eat, our air traffic controllers get paid," she told reporters, calling both issues "morally imperative."

Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada)

Masto, who had voted over a dozen times to reopen the government, pointed to suffering federal workers and long food bank lines in northern Nevada. "We have airport controllers struggling-this shouldn't have happened," she said.

John Fetterman (Pennsylvania)

A vocal opponent of the shutdown, Fetterman cast his 15th vote to reopen. "I'm sorry to our military, SNAP recipients, and Capitol Police who haven't been paid in weeks," he tweeted, calling the impasse "a failure."

Jacky Rosen (Nevada)

Rosen, previously aligned with party leadership, clashed with Nevada's Republican governor over the shutdown. She highlighted the deal's concession: a December vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. "This gets us closer to protecting healthcare for millions," her statement read.

Dick Durbin (Illinois)

The Democratic whip broke with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling the bill "not perfect" but necessary to reduce harm. Durbin, retiring next year, noted Republicans' promise to schedule the ACA vote. "Now it's time for [Senate GOP Leader] Thune to keep his word," he said.

Angus King (Maine, Independent)

King, who caucuses with Democrats, helped negotiate the ACA tax credit vote. "We're closer to addressing healthcare for Americans than we were a month ago," he said, calling the deal "a win for the American people."

What's Next

The government will reopen immediately, though the December vote on healthcare subsidies remains contentious. Republicans have signaled reluctance to extend the credits, setting up another potential standoff.