Despite considerable hand-wringing in the party about caving to Republicans in the government closure, some Democrats see potential upsides in the outcome.
Despite considerable hand-wringing in the party about caving to Republicans in the government closure, some Democrats see potential upsides in the outcome.
The Senate voted Monday night to end the longest government shutdown in history after eight members of the Democratic caucus crossed the aisle and joined Republicans in passing a short-term spending bill.
For 40 days, Senator Chuck Schumer kept his caucus unified. But an end approached without an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies that Democrats had demanded.
For 40 days, Senator Chuck Schumer kept his caucus unified. But an end approached without an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies that Democrats had demanded.
Senator Angus King, one of the senators who negotiated with Republicans, said that the length of the shutdown had pushed some colleagues to support a deal without the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies they had originally sought.
After weeks of stalemate, Senate Democrats said they were willing to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of health care subsidies. Republicans ruled it out.
After weeks of stalemate, Senate Democrats said they were willing to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of health care subsidies. Republicans ruled it out.
“Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health care affordability,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, said on Friday.
“To choose between feeding hungry families and my health care — I’m going to feed the family,” said Cyndie Story, a 60-year-old self-employed school nutrition consultant in Zebulon, Ga.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are eyeing Obamacare open enrollment and off-year elections as moments that could create political anxiety to shake the status quo.
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