Will the US Shutdown End? Some Moderate Democrats Shift Their Stance

60 Votes in Favor...
Bipartisan Passage in Both Chambers Possible This Week

As the US federal government shutdown (partial suspension of operations) entered its 40th day on November 9 (local time), there are signs that the deadlock between the Republican and Democratic parties may be coming to an end. On this day, the Senate held a 'procedural vote,' the first step in processing the budget bill, which passed with 60 votes in favor and 40 against.

Some moderate Democratic senators in the Senate switched their stance to support ending the shutdown. In the Senate, which consists of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats (including independents who caucus with the Democrats), Democratic senators such as Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (both from New Hampshire), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Dick Durbin (Illinois), John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen (both from Nevada) voted in favor.

Exterior view of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

Although a significant number of Democratic senators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, still maintain a hardline position, it is reported that some moderates changed their minds as the prolonged shutdown began to disrupt the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income individuals and the operation of airports nationwide.

The US federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, has set a record as the longest in history but now appears to be nearing its end. In 14 previous votes on temporary funding bills in the Senate, Republicans, despite their numerical advantage, failed to secure the 60 votes needed to pass the measure. Democrats have insisted that the temporary funding bill must include an extension of Obamacare subsidies, while Republicans have opposed this demand.

The Senate is expected to hold a full session during the week starting November 10 to finalize the budget bill. The same bill must also pass the House of Representatives, and since the Republicans hold the majority there, passage is anticipated if the Senate approves it.

The budget package agreed upon by Senate Republicans and moderate Democrats consists of three appropriations bills for departments where bipartisan consensus was reached for the 2026 fiscal year (through the end of next September), along with a stopgap funding bill (excluding the three departmental budgets) that will last until January 30 of next year. The package also includes a provision to withdraw the plan, promoted by President Donald Trump during the shutdown, to lay off more than 4,000 federal employees, and prohibits any federal layoffs until January 30 of next year.

In addition, Republican senators and moderate Democrats agreed to continue funding for SNAP through the end of September next year.

However, the extension of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare)-a core Democratic demand for ending the shutdown and scheduled to expire at the end of this year-was not included in the agreement. According to the Washington Post and other sources, Senate Republican Whip John Thune promised Democratic senators that, if the shutdown is resolved, a vote on the extension of Obamacare subsidies would be held by the second week of December.

Some observers predict that the budget bill to end the shutdown could pass the Senate as early as November 10. However, the Associated Press reported that if Democrats use party opposition to delay the process, it could take more time. In addition, the fact that House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet promised a vote on the extension of Obamacare subsidies could also influence the Senate vote.

After returning to the White House following an NFL game on this day, President Trump told reporters, "It seems we are very close to ending the shutdown."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.