Senate Deadlock: Republicans Seek Government Reopening, Democrats Demand ACA Subsidy Extension

The U.S. government shutdown entered its 24th day on October 28, 2025, as the Senate rejected the 13th attempt to pass a funding bill, maintaining a deadlock that has shuttered nonessential federal operations and disrupted critical services. The 54-46 vote fell short of the 60 votes required to advance the Republican-backed "Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Appropriations and Debt Limit Extension Act," which would have temporarily restored operations at current funding levels, according to a Lookonchain report https://www.lookonchain.com/feeds/34706. Only three Democrats—Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine)—joined Republicans in supporting the measure.

Democrats have refused to back any funding bill without an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire in 2025. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued that delaying action before the November open enrollment period risks spiking premiums for millions of Americans. Republicans, however, insist the government must reopen first before negotiations on healthcare can proceed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called Democrats' stance "an easy choice to pick my country over the party," echoing Fetterman's criticism that the stalemate is harming the public, according to a Fox News report https://www.foxnews.com/media/john-fetterman-breaks-democrats-shutdown-vote-says-its-easy-choice-put-america-first.

The shutdown's ripple effects are intensifying. Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who must work without pay, face mounting pressure as flight disruptions rise. Last week, 53% of delays were linked to controller absences, though that figure dipped to 1% on Monday, USA Today reported https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2025/10/24/government-shutdown-holiday-travel-meltdown/86880748007/. Meanwhile, the Pentagon accepted a $130 million anonymous donation—later revealed to be from Timothy Mellon, a Republican donor—to cover military salaries, though it covers just a fraction of the $6.5 billion already diverted from defense funds, the Economic Times reported https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/timothy-mellon-net-worth-all-about-donald-trumps-patriot-friend-who-donates-130-million-for-military-salary-during-government-shutdown/articleshow/124809462.cms. President Donald Trump hailed Mellon as a "patriot," while Democrats accused Republicans of shifting responsibility to private donors, Sky News reported https://news.sky.com/story/pentagon-accepts-130m-donation-to-help-pay-the-military-during-government-shutdown-13457040.

SNAP beneficiaries, who rely on monthly food assistance, face uncertainty as the USDA warned that November payments will be frozen if the shutdown continues. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey condemned the situation as "the first time in U.S. history a president has cut off SNAP benefits," urging federal leaders to prioritize vulnerable families, the Cape Cod Times reported https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2025/10/25/governor-healey-says-massachusetts-families-wont-get-snap-benefits-in-november-government-shutdown/86859345007/.

With both parties entrenched, the shutdown threatens to surpass the 34-day record set in 2018-2019. Fetterman and others warn the country is "losing" in the partisan battle, yet no compromise appears imminent, as reported by Fox News.