Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Friday unveiled a new Democratic offer to end the record-breaking government shutdown, saying his caucus will vote to reopen the government immediately if Republicans agree to a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits.
The proposal ties government funding to healthcare affordability — a move Schumer says is essential to prevent millions of Americans from facing steep insurance premium hikes starting next year. The announcement came as the shutdown entered its 39th day, the longest in U.S. history.
"We can end this shutdown today," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "All Republicans have to do is agree to protect the healthcare of working families instead of raising their premiums."
What Schumer Is Proposing
Under Schumer's plan, Democrats would back a short-term continuing resolution to reopen federal agencies, coupled with:
- A one-year extension of ACA premium subsidies, due to expire at the end of 2025.
- Restoration of certain Medicaid and public health funds affected by earlier budget measures.
- Funding to maintain essential government services through early 2026.
Democrats say the measure would stabilize both the government and the healthcare marketplace. Schumer framed it as a balanced compromise that "protects families while restoring basic government operations."
Republican Response
Republican leaders quickly rejected the linkage, calling the Democratic plan a political maneuver that complicates efforts to end the shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader John Thune said Democrats are "holding the government hostage to push unrelated policy demands," urging Schumer to instead support a "clean" funding bill without policy riders.
According to Politico, Republicans are preparing a separate proposal that would reopen the government through early 2026 but leave healthcare negotiations for later talks.
Political Stakes and Risks
The standoff has become a high-stakes political gamble for both parties. Democrats see the healthcare extension as a vital protection for middle-class families and a way to highlight GOP divisions on health policy.
But as Reuters notes, pressure is growing from moderate Democrats and federal worker unions to end the shutdown regardless of policy demands. Some fear that extending the impasse could alienate voters or deepen economic fallout.
The Washington Post reported Friday that behind closed doors, several Senate Democrats are exploring whether to decouple the healthcare provision if talks stall into next week.
Next Steps
Negotiations are expected to continue through the weekend, with procedural votes possible as soon as Monday. Schumer indicated that Democrats remain unified behind the proposal for now but warned that "the longer Republicans refuse to negotiate, the worse the damage to our country will be."
President Donald Trump has not publicly endorsed either proposal, though aides have told reporters he remains open to "a deal that protects Americans' healthcare and reopens the government," according to ABC News.
If no deal is reached, the shutdown — now stretching into its sixth week — could extend past Veterans Day, delaying paychecks for more than 800,000 federal employees and disrupting critical programs such as food assistance, tax processing, and transportation safety inspections.
"Republicans face a choice," Schumer said. "Work with us to end the shutdown and protect healthcare, or keep the government closed and let working Americans pay the price."
