Eight Senate Democrats voted with Republicans on Sunday night to move forward with a package that would reopen the federal government.
Why it matters: It's a critical procedural vote that serves as a clear sign that a bipartisan deal has been reached to fund agencies, eventually vote on health care subsidies, undo federal layoffs — and end the record-breaking shutdown.
- Democrats have held out for weeks, demanding that Republicans work with them to extend expiring ACA tax credits in exchange for funding the government.
- Prolonged shutdown pain ultimately won out, with moderate Democrats accepting a promise of an ACA vote despite progressives and House Democrats adamantly warning against accepting a handshake deal.
Driving the news: The final tally on the procedural vote was 60-40. Eight Democrats voted "yes" with Republicans, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the lone GOP "no" vote. Sixty votes were required to advance the measure.
- Additional votes are needed before the package can be sent to the House where it also will need to pass before the government can reopen.
- The path to House passage could be a tricky one.
- It is not yet clear if Senate Democrats and Paul will allow the remaining voting process to be expedited or if they will force the multi-day process to play out in full.
Zoom in: The senators who caucus with Democrats and voted to move forward on a package to fund government agencies and reopen the government, were:
- Minority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.)
- Tim Kaine (Va.)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.)
- John Fetterman (Penn.)
- Angus King (Maine)
- Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
- Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
- Jackie Rosen (Nev.)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted "no."
Zoom out: The deal includes a mini package of appropriations bills that will fund military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the legislative branch.
- It also includes a stopgap funding measure that will ensure the full government remains open until at least Jan. 30 2026.
- The CR includes language to undo federal layoffs imposed by the Trump administration during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1.
- Democrats have also been assured a vote by the second week in December on extending the enhanced ACA subsidies for a full year. Those tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year.
