Democrats put healthcare ‘back at the center’ in shutdown fight: Samantha-Jo Roth
The article discusses how Senate Democrats worked with Republicans to end a government shutdown, highlighting the renewed focus on healthcare in the political debate. Eight Democratic senators joined Republicans in a 60-40 test vote to pass funding bills for several federal departments, though these bills did not include an extension of Obamacare premium subsidies that Democrats had sought. While Democrats did not achieve their main goals-extending health insurance subsidies and reversing “Trump-era rescissions”-they succeeded in bringing healthcare back to the forefront of the national conversation, with another vote on subsidies planned for December. The shutdown resolution also ensures federal employees who were furloughed recieve full pay, which was a significant win for senators representing large numbers of federal workers. Some progressive democrats criticized colleagues who supported the measure, viewing it as a retreat under pressure that may affect the party’s prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. The article also notes concerns about air traffic controllers amid the shutdown and the political uncertainty over how quickly the shutdown will fully resolve.
Democrats put healthcare ‘back at the center’ in shutdown fight: Samantha-Jo Roth
Washington Examiner congressional reporter Samantha-Jo Roth said there are two silver linings to Senate Democrats working with Republicans to end the government shutdown, one of which is bringing national attention back to the state of healthcare.
Eight Democratic senators joined Republicans in a 60-40 test vote on Sunday, which took place after Senate appropriators put the finishing touches on three full-year bills that would fund Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and other federal departments. The legislation does not include the extension of premium Obamacare subsidies that Democrats have been fighting for during the shutdown.
Roth said Senate Democrats didn’t get their “two main goals” in the shutdown fight, which were extending the expiring health insurance subsidies and ending the “Trump-era rescissions.” She noted that progressives see this new vote as Democrats pulling back under pressure, which could ding the party going into the 2026 midterm elections.
“Now here is where they did succeed: they were able to put healthcare back at the center of the national conversation. And as you mentioned earlier, the December vote on those subsidies does guarantee another fight over this issue, and Democrats really do believe that they can win on this one. They also believe that federal employees that were fired during the shutdown they‘re going to be able to get that full pay, and that was a huge win for senators like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, where they have so many federal workers,” Roth said on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront.
“So both sides are just trying to hedge their bets on … who’s going to come out on top, obviously, here,” Roth said.
Roth added that the shutdown could either be resolved “relatively quickly” or at a slower pace. She said House lawmakers are “rushing back” to Washington, D.C., to end the shutdown, but the air traffic problems due to the shutdown are affecting their travel.
Roth also said she heard from air traffic controllers who are concerned about recruitment, as “nobody” wants to work a job where they won’t get paid for weeks in the event of another shutdown.
The bill will temporarily fund the federal government until Jan. 30. Roth said both parties must figure out their messaging to voters, specifically around healthcare, and if it’s a winning argument for Democrats.
WHAT DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID ABOUT VOTING TO END THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) condemned the eight senators who joined Republicans in advancing the funding plan to end the government shutdown, arguing they abandoned the Democratic Party’s demands on healthcare. He added that these senators bent the knee to President Donald Trump.
Republicans allowed a December vote on the Obamacare subsidies with this legislation, with no guarantee they can pass Congress, let alone be signed into law.
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