Today's News: Political Fallout and Unresolved ACA Subsidy Dispute as Senate Votes to End Government Shutdown

This outcome has led to significant political recriminations, particularly against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and raises concerns about soaring health care costs for millions of Americans.

Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Zuma Press

Overview

• Date: November 10-11, 2025

• Summary: The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has concluded after centrist Senate Democrats reached a deal with Republicans to pass a funding package. The agreement reopens the federal government but notably fails to secure an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a key Democratic demand. This outcome has led to significant political recriminations, particularly against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and raises concerns about soaring health care costs for millions of Americans as the subsidies are set to expire. Republicans, while ending the immediate crisis, face long-term political risks over the unresolved health care issue.

Sources

• The New York Times - As Shutdown Nears End, Trump Still Confronts Soaring Health Costs

• CNN - The Senate sent a funding bill to the House. Here’s what has to happen next to reopen the government

• NBC News - Republicans demand tougher abortion restrictions to extend Obamacare funds

• The Washington Post - Democrats lose shutdown battle — as Trump, Republicans risk losing war

• The Wall Street Journal - Progressives Blame Schumer After Shutdown Strategy Collapses

• Fox News - Democrats, left empty-handed in shutdown, turn fury on Schumer

Key Points

• The federal government shutdown has ended with the Senate passing a funding package, which is now headed to the House for a vote.

• A central point of contention in the shutdown, the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, was not secured in the deal. These subsidies are set to expire by the end of the year, potentially leading to significant premium increases for millions of Americans.

• Centrist Senate Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans to pass the funding bill, despite Democratic leadership’s opposition to the package without the ACA subsidy extension.

• The passed deal includes provisions to ensure furloughed federal workers receive back pay and to reverse firings made during the shutdown.

• There is a promise for a future Senate vote on extending the ACA subsidies, though its passage is uncertain.

• Both Democrats and Republicans face political repercussions from the shutdown and the unresolved health care issue, with the upcoming midterm elections in focus.

Unique Highlights

• The New York Times details President Trump’s vague proposal to send money directly to policyholders instead of insurance companies, assuming it would lower costs, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. It also cites Congressional Budget Office estimates of the cost of extending subsidies ($23 billion next year, $350 billion over a decade) and mentions Mr. Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., focusing on topics like vaccines or diet rather than insurance affordability.

• CNN provides specific procedural details for the House vote, including the planned timing (Wednesday, 4 p.m.) and the role of House Speaker Mike Johnson in selling the package to his narrow GOP majority. It itemizes specific funding allocations within the broader legislative package, such as $203.5 million for congressional security and $852 million for US Capitol Police.

• NBC News focuses on Republican demands for stricter abortion restrictions as a condition for extending ACA funds. It quotes Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican senators insisting on “Hyde plus-plus” protections, going beyond existing ACA abortion guardrails. The article also cites Georgetown Law professor Katie Keith explaining how existing law already bans federal funds from flowing to abortion care through ACA plans.

• The Washington Post delves into the deeper political implications, including polling data showing public blame for the shutdown initially skewed towards Trump and Republicans but becoming more even over time. It highlights warnings from Mr. Trump’s own pollsters about the major political risk of not extending ACA subsidies and notes specific House Republicans, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, expressing concern about rising health insurance costs for their constituents.

• The Wall Street Journal extensively covers the criticism directed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from progressive voters and party activists, quoting figures like Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Senate candidate Graham Platner who blamed Schumer for the strategy’s collapse. It also presents defenses of Schumer from allies like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

• Fox News quotes Senator Elissa Slotkin (Democrat) expressing frustration that “what has worked in the past isn’t working now” regarding the shutdown strategy. It mentions a CNN data analyst’s finding that Chuck Schumer was the least popular Democratic leader among Democratic voters since 1985 and quotes California Governor Gavin Newsom’s one-word reaction, “Pathetic,” to the outcome.

Contrasting Details

• Blame for the Shutdown and its Political Impact:

  • The Washington Post reports that initial polls showed more Americans blaming Mr. Trump and Republicans (47%) than Democrats (30%), though this margin decreased over time, becoming nearly even (36% Republicans, 34% Democrats) by late October.

  • Fox News quotes Senator Ted Cruz (Republican) asserting that Senator Schumer waged the shutdown as a “political stunt” to appease his radical left-wing base.

• Assessment of Senator Chuck Schumer’s Leadership:

  • The Wall Street Journal and Fox News extensively detail strong criticism from progressive Democrats and party activists, who blame Senator Schumer for the collapse of the shutdown strategy and his failure to keep the caucus united. Quotes from Adam Green and Graham Platner are critical of his leadership.

  • The Wall Street Journal and CNN present contrasting views, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defending Senator Schumer, stating he “held the line” and should remain in his leadership role. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat) also expresses respect for his leadership, saying he “kept us in the loop.” Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat) suggests the problem lies “inside the caucus” rather than with Schumer’s leadership directly.

• Republican Stance on ACA Subsidies and Conditions for Extension:

  • The New York Times notes Mr. Trump’s vague proposal to offer cash payments directly to individuals instead of insurance subsidies.

  • NBC News highlights that Senate Republicans, led by Senator Majority Leader John Thune, are demanding stricter abortion restrictions on insurance plans, going beyond the existing Hyde amendment, as a condition for extending ACA funds.

  • The Washington Post indicates that some Republicans are nervous about the political fallout of letting costs rise, and roughly a dozen House Republicans in swing districts have expressed support for extending the ACA tax credits.

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