Senate Republicans push for bipartisan support to end government shutdown
- Senate Republicans are attempting to garner support from five additional Senate Democrats to facilitate a government funding resolution.
- Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Democrats for refusing a resolution that would prevent a shutdown, linking it to demands for increased health care funding.
- If enough bipartisan support is achieved, the government could reopen, leading to potential negotiations over health care reform.
On October 1, 2025, the United States government entered a shutdown following the inability of lawmakers to pass a new funding bill. Senate Republicans are actively trying to secure the votes of five more Senate Democrats to support a clean continuing resolution that was previously approved by the House. This resolution aims to fund the government for an additional seven weeks while budget negotiations for the fiscal year 2026 continue. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, have expressed a willingness to negotiate health care reform, specifically addressing concerns over the Affordable Care Act, but only if the government is reopened. Republican leaders are critical of Senate and House Democrats, accusing them of holding the government hostage over demanding substantial spending increases, including $1.5 trillion for health care-related issues. Vice President J.D. Vance has pointed out that the blockage by certain Democratic lawmakers, whom he labels as the