The Senate passed a shutdown deal as Democrats grappled with a lack of health care aid

Washington – The Senate on Monday night gave final approval to a deal that could end the longest government shutdown in US history, sending it to the House, where Democrats are launching a last-ditch effort to block the measure because it does not address health care costs.

Senators approved the shutdown deal by a 60-40 vote, a day after Senate Republicans reached an agreement with eight senators who caucus with Democrats. The move in the Senate on Monday prompted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to urge House members to make their way back to Washington, with the chamber expected to be ready to vote on the bill later in the week.

The spending plan, which does not include an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year, has disappointed many Democrats who spent seven weeks pressing Republicans to extend the tax credits. However, it will fund the government through January, reinstate federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown and ensure that federal employees who were laid off receive back pay.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.D.) also promised senators a vote in December that would allow lawmakers to keep health care subsidies on record. Tone said in a statement on Monday that he was “thankful that the end is in sight” with the settlement.

He said: “Let’s do this, take it to the House of Representatives, so that we can open this government.”

Senate Democrats who defected argue that the December vote on subsidies is the best deal they can get as the minority party, and that forcing vulnerable Republicans in the chamber to vote on the issue will help them win ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

As the Senate prepared to vote on the deal on Monday, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the chamber’s Democratic leader, continued his opposition to what he called “Republican’s legislation.” Schumer, who has faced backlash from Democrats for losing members of his caucus, said the bill “does nothing to fix America’s health care crisis.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.) speaks to reporters about the government shutdown.

(Mariam Zahib/Associated Press)

Tevin’s pledge to allow a vote in the Senate does not guarantee a favorable outcome for Democrats, who need to secure Republican votes to pass the chamber. And the chances of addressing health care costs will be made more difficult by Johnson, who has not pledged to vote in his chamber in the future.

“I’m not making any promises to anybody,” he said. “I’m going to let the process begin.”

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters that House Democrats will continue to make the case that extending subsidies is what Americans are asking for from elected officials, and that there is still a fight in the chamber — even if it’s a long shot.

“What we’re going to do as House Democrats is partner with our allies across America to continue the fight, to stay in the Colosseum,” Jeffries said at a news conference.

Some Republicans have agreed with Democrats during the shutdown on needed health care spending, but it is unlikely that House Democrats will be able to muster enough bipartisan support to close the deal in the chamber.

Still, Jeffries said the “loudmouths” in the Republican Party who want to do something about health care costs have an opportunity to act now that the House is expected to be back in session.

“They can’t hide anymore. They can’t hide anymore,” Jeffries said. “They can’t hide this week when they get back from vacation.”

Democrats believed that fighting to extend the health care tax credit, even at the cost of a government shutdown, would highlight their message about affordability, a political platform that carried their party to victory in statewide elections last week.

If the tax credit is allowed to expire at the end of the year, millions of Americans expect to see their monthly premiums double.

In California, premiums will be available for federally subsidized plans through Covered California An average increase of 97% the following year.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune responded to questions Monday about a possible end to the government shutdown after eight members of the Democratic caucus voted with Republicans.

(J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)

U.S. Senators from California, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, were among the Democrats who voted against the deal to reopen the government because it did not address health care costs.

“We owe our constituents much better than that. We have a resolution that makes it possible for them to have health care,” Schiff said in a video Sunday night.

Some Republicans have also warned that their party will face a backlash in next year’s midterm elections if it does not come up with a more comprehensive health plan.

“We are always open to finding solutions to reduce the brutal cost of health care under the Affordable Care Act,” Johnson said Monday.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, for one, supported a quick vote to reopen the government but insisted on a vote to remove language from the spending deal that he said would “unfairly target Kentucky’s hemp industry.” His amendment received a vote and was ultimately rejected on Monday night in a 76-24 vote.

Johnson said that with the bill before the House, Republicans hope to have the votes to pass it.

Each piece of legislation must be approved by the Senate and the Senate and signed by the President.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, President Trump said he would support a legislative deal to reopen the government.

“We’re going to open our country,” Trump said. “Unfortunately, it was closed, but we will soon open our country.”

Trump added that he would abide by a provision that would require his administration to reinstate federal workers who were furloughed during the shutdown.

“The deal is great,” he said.

Johnson said he spoke with the president Sunday night and said Trump was “very anxious” to reopen the government.

“It’s after 40 days of wandering in the wilderness, and needlessly tormenting the American people, that some Senate Democrats are finally stepping up to end the pain,” Johnson said. “Our long national dream is finally coming to an end, and we are thankful for that.”