"Some US Democrats Shift Stance"... Possibility of Ending 'Longest-Ever' Shutdown Emerges

Axios: Up to 10 Moderate Democrats Expected to Break Ranks

The longest-ever U.S. federal government shutdown, now lasting 40 days, may soon come to an end, according to recent reports. As the budget standoff between the two parties has dragged on, essential administrative functions such as airport operations and welfare programs have been paralyzed. Recently, however, some moderate Democrats have shifted their stance, increasing the likelihood that the shutdown will be resolved.

On the 5th (local time), near the United States Capitol in Washington DC, protesters shouted the slogan "Trump Must Go." Photo by AP Yonhap News

On the 9th (local time), political news outlets The Hill and Axios reported, citing sources, that up to 10 Democratic senators are expected to vote in favor of the Republican party’s short-term spending bill (Continuing Resolution, or CR) to end the shutdown.

In particular, moderate senators such as Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (both from New Hampshire) are said to have moved toward supporting an end to the shutdown, as the prolonged impasse has disrupted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and nationwide airport operations. Additionally, The Hill reported that senators Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), Mark Kelly (Arizona), Jon Ossoff (Georgia), Gary Peters (Michigan), and Dick Durbin (Illinois) have been engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Republicans to end the shutdown and are also likely to vote in favor.

The specific details of the temporary spending bill to end the shutdown have not yet been released, but Senate Republican Whip John Thune is reportedly preparing a revised bill that would extend the deadline from the current November 21 to the end of January 2026. After Democratic senators review this revision, the 15th vote on the temporary spending bill to end the shutdown is expected to take place as early as that evening or the following morning.

So far, 14 votes on temporary spending bills have failed to reach the required 60 votes for passage. If 8 to 10 Democratic senators join the 53 Republican votes in favor, the filibuster (unlimited debate) would be ended and the temporary spending bill would pass, bringing the shutdown to a close.

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