The GOP expected Democrats to relent on the shutdown by now. That isn't happening.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Oct. 24, 2025, 5:00 AM EDT


WASHINGTON — For the 12th time, Senate Democrats blocked the Republican Party's government funding legislation this week without a single senator switching his or her vote. Just three Democratic caucus members voted for the bill: John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; and Angus King, I-Maine. That means Republicans are still five votes short of the 60-vote threshold to ensure passage of the bill, just as they have been since before the government shut down 23 days ago.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told NBC News he’s taken aback by some of the Democratic posturing and rhetoric. “I’m surprised at how open they’ve been about it,” Thune said in an interview Thursday. “That statement yesterday by that House member that they know the American people are going to suffer but this is their leverage? This isn’t about leverage. This isn’t a political game. It’s about people’s lives.”

He was referring to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., who said in a recent Fox News interview: “Shutdowns are terrible. Of course, there will be families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have — it is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people.”

Democrats have used that “leverage” to push Republicans to extend Obamacare subsidies that will expire at the end of the year. Failing to do so would lead to increased health care costs for millions of people. Republicans say Democrats must first reopen the government, but, so far, the party hasn’t budged. The Democratic Party’s hardened resolve in the shutdown battle seems to have left the Republican majority without answers.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-expected-democrats-cave-shutdown-not-happening-rcna239457

[dweller]

1. the Republican majority without answers

And ?

That’s just SOP for repugs


✌🏻

[Bluetus]

8. This *IS* their answer

It is just the Grover Norquist thing in a different wrapper.

Their only use for government is to give themselves no-bid contracts and to enact laws that force people to work cheap and have no protections. They WANT government shut down. As we see, when there is no enforcement, they can just do what they want. That's perfect.

[Scubamatt]

17. Well stated

What we don't understand is that this is asymmetric warfare; our side wants a government that works well for the people; their side is happy with dysfunction because it allows the corporate world to go unchecked in the short term, and reinforces their "government cant work" message over the long term. We need to start framing our messaging that way.

[Bluetus]

34. Absolutely. If they did not want a shutdown

They could have suspended the filibuster and passed their own appropriation the first day.

Some of them may be having second thoughts but have no way out now. The reason for second thoughts is the financial wreckage (insurance costs and inflation), Trump's crashing poll numbers, the venezuelan insanity, the Great Disappearing White House and so on. Passing their own bil only makes all of those things worse.

They need Dems to force them into a compromise, and that would mean the Dems should share the blame for all of this. Dems need to put additional demands on the table that would put some constraints on Trump. THis should not be JUST about the ACA premiums. This is a real opportunity for Dems to start making the case for our own Project 2027.

WE can control the messaging because the Republicans have scattered into their hiding places.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. The repigs are used to Democrats caving on CR's,

they don't know how to respond to this new hardening of resolve from Sen. Democrats and, so far, their only answer is to try to blame the Democrats for the shut down, but the majority of Americans aren't buying their bullshit, and when, not if, but when American's ACA subsidies expire and insurance rates skyrocket, it's really going to get ugly for the repigs.

[lostincalifornia]

4. If they wanted to they could just get rid of the filibuster. The only possible reason why they aren't, other

than the sociopath in the WH is telling them not to, is if they do that they couldn't use the Democrats as their scape goat, and would own people losing their healthcare because they couldn't afford the insurance premiums.

After the 2016 election, trump and the thugs said they would get rid of the ACA and replace it with their own plan. Instead, not only didn't they offer an alternative, but their only plan was to get rid of the ACA without an alternative.

Their entire record on healthcare reform, was NO HEALTHCARE REFORM.

If the past is any reflection of the future, trump and the rethugs in Congress cannot be taken at their word.

[popsdenver]

28. This type of RepubliCON covert EXTORTION,

to get what ever they want, has worked every single time on Corporations, Wealthy Donors, Top Zillionairs, political foes, etc

The RepubliCONs just figured it work on Dems also.........

Let the RepubliCONs wear this one. Please let the Dems continue to call out the RepubliCON"s corrupt technique from the rooftops EVERY SINGLE DAY........
Along with the damage it is doing, and especially point out the damage it will do..... IF IT DOES PASS......

For starters, when ever a Dem is interviewed and asked a question, they should reply:

"The Republicans always avoid answering ever single question, when interviewed, and launch into a pre-rehearsed Republican Talking Point, regardless of how irrelevant it may be to the question asked........., soooooo I will not answer the question, but will instead, launch into Democratic Talking Points,..........And if the interviewer objects or calls them on it.....The Dem should say: THE MEDIA NEVER EVER CALLS THE REPUBLICANS FOR THEM DOING EXACTLY THAT, ON EVERY LAST QUESTION YOU ASK,....WHY ARE YOU CALLING THE DEMS ON DOING IT" ???????

[underpants]

3. The Repubs thought this would be over before Open Enrollment started (Saturday I think)

Schumer and Jeffries kept everyone in line and knew they had time on their side (long game).

Sen. Whitehouse posted yesterday about how the GOP case devolved. From Free healthcare for illegals to We won’t negotiate to We’ll negotiate if we open the government back up/pass their bill (No ways Dems were going for that) to now We’ll negotiate.

There was a hint also yesterday that they will agree to keep funding at the current levels until December of next year (after midterms).

Moses Mike has been the face of this more than Thune or even Trump and he’s going get ripped for it

[lostincalifornia]

5. You cannot trust pathological liars. Their record stands on itself, and trump's first term serves

as a glaring example why they cannot be trusted.

[popsdenver]

29. LOL

As proof of all their lies, look at just one topic that the "Commander in Chief of Lying" has said in just the last week....................

First, the White House Ballroom was going to cost 200 Million, a few days later it went to 250 Million, and yesterday it was suddenly 300 Million.

[kacekwl]

6. One side wants to secure healthcare for millions

One side wants to provide more money for billionaires and gut Medicare and Medicaid for millions. And hide the Epstein files so who should cave ?

[Gum Logger]

7. It does not matter. Dems made a point. From MLK, love worhout power is anemic. Dems just need a few more votes

[Miles Archer]

9. The messaging on Twitter, blaming rhe Dems, is relentless

And, as one would expect from Republicans, they are all sticking to the script.

And because kindly old gatekeeper Elon Musk can tweak what you see and don't see on the platform, all of the Republican talking points are front-loaded.

I don't really use Twitter much. But when I go there, it is almost always a Mike Johnson tweet blaming the Dems that comes up first.

If and when I do reply, when Johnson talks about Americans "suffering" from this, I remind him...and other Republicans who do the same...that the REAL "suffering" is buried in Trump's Big Bullshit Bill, mainly the Medicaid cuts and allowing the ACA / ObamaCare Tax Credits to expire, which WILL cause people on the program to see their premiums double and triple. That's the REAL "suffering," all so that Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg and Thiel can have a tax cut.

And there's not a Republican on the planet who doesn't already know this.

[hueymahl]

10. Its the people that suffer when the powerful play games

Been true throughout history.

[quakerboy]

11. I saw an article just yesterday saying both Senators from Georgia had flipped. Is that not correct?

Im curious why king and masto have been voting for this?

[BumRushDaShow]

12. The 2 from GA voted for the bill that would fund the military and some civilian employees

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143552366

Roll Call - https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00585.htm

But neither Cortez Masto nor King voted for that -

NAYs ---45
Alsobrooks (D-MD)
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
Booker (D-NJ)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Gallego (D-AZ)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
Kelly (D-AZ)
Kim (D-NJ)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lujan (D-NM)
Markey (D-MA)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Padilla (D-CA)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Rosen (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schiff (D-CA)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Slotkin (D-MI)
Smith (D-MN)
Thune (R-SD)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Welch (D-VT)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

[Bayard]

14. I seriously doubt that,

And I don't see why the three that have are falling in line. What's Schumer doing about that?

[obamanut2012]

26. Cortez Masto and King probably have his okay

Like Murkowski gets from Thune.

[quakerboy]

33. That doesnt answer why

[cstanleytech]

13. The Republicans actually have an answer which is to simply bite the bullet and pass it without the Democrats.

Then the Republicans can explain to the voters why they and they alone decided to fuck the voters over by not extending the heathcare subsidies.

[COL Mustard]

15. I'm furloughed. This is impacting me and my family directly.

I hope the Dems will continue to stand strong and force some concessions. This sucks, and I want to get back to the work I was doing.

We're well positioned to survive for several months if we need to, but I'm sure there are other Feds who aren't as fortunate. I got my first earnings statement today that shows no pay due for next week and it'll sting but will ultimately be okay.

Thanks for nothing, Republicans.

[cer7711]

16. So proud of the Democrats in this moment!

'Nuff said.

[Farmer-Rick]

19. Me too

They are acting like a true opposition party. I hope they keep it up until they get what we need.

[Delphinus]

18. Good

They absolutely HAVE to stay strong against this gop shit.

[Deminpenn]

20. Rs are between a rock and a hard place

They can get rid of the legislative filibuster and pass their bill anytime, but then the Rs would own every single bad thing that's going to happen. Rs won't do that.

If Rs cave, they'll never be able to intimidate Dems again.

Their best bet would be a backdoor deal with Trump for him to come out and say or post on social media telling them to make a deal with Dems. Trump doesn't care and his ego would love being the "hero" that ended the shutdown.

[cab67]

35. yeah, but....

...Old Colostomy has shown a remarkable level of hostility to Democrats. Personally, I doubt he would advocate compromising with them.

[Deminpenn]

36. Trump has no loyalty to anyone

except himself. Flattery would get Rs everywhere.

[Mblaze]

21. "This isn't about leverage. This isn't a political game. It's about people's lives."

Right Thune. Affordable healthcare is about people's lives.

[agingdem]

22. the quasi brain dead House Republicans assumed the House Dems

would once again save them from Trump and do the "right thing"... bend over for the good of the country...what Republicans are having a hard time wrapping their empty little heads around is the Dems are no longer the party of "nice"...and when it comes to healthcare Dems recognize the MAGA cretins are in deep shit with their constituents, particularly their most vulnerable constituents (the elderly/special needs/retirees)...there's a reason Marjorie Taylor Greene is going head to head with porn hunter Mike Johnson...if the ACA loses she loses her job...

two things an aging constituency understands ... never fuck with their healthcare and don't touch their Social Security (a fight waiting to happen!) and the House Dems know this...

[patphil]

23. Crocodile tears from Senator John Thune.

He and all his republican buddies passed the "big beautiful bill" that will do serious harm to 10's of millions of Americans, and he wants us to believe he cares about people. It's already starting, and will progressively worse even with a CR.
If he really did care, he'd be speaking out against the gross, illegal, unethical actions of the president, and working to actually help Americans instead of grandstanding for his base.

Any continuing resolution passed now will be forgotten in 2 weeks...after the November election. Then we'll be right back fighting the same republican shit show when the CR ends.
The nation needs leaders, not sycophants, not toadies, not cowards, not republican congress men and women who only want to keep their jobs, regardless of the cost to the nation.

[ThoughtCriminal]

24. Kick the ball Charlie Brown

I think we've seen how the GOP negotiates.

?w=960

[Bengus81]

31. Years ago Dems in Congress would have taken Republicants at their WORD

and voted to reopen and pass their bill with an understanding OUR part would be addressed at the same time. Yeah well after getting fucked over on that rug pull shit they've decided to stand tough this time.

GOOD ON THEM.....

[CarolinaNC]

25. Don't give in Dems.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

27. Because raising peoples' health insurance rates is such a winner

Sticking their mouths on Trump's ass has damaged the Republicans' brains.

[IbogaProject]

30. Like an abusive spouse

Look at what you are doing to the kids.

But mentioning "leverage" was an inapproiate choice of words.

The statement should be "The GOP want to pay for wealthy tax cuts by cutting health care and jobs for middle America".

The GOP hid the costs of their budgets by placing arbitrary time limits on funding. Their unfair taxcuts are the cause and they were scared to own the costs of giving multimillionaires even more. Now they refuse to fix this funding deficit which they have imposed while now trying to deflect blame instead of owning their greed and lack of concern for their own constituants.

[Initech]

32. This is 1000000000% the MAGA Fox News Qongress' doing.

Because they don't want to function in the confines of a civilized society anymore and are much more interested in fellating their news network bosses than they are running the country. They all must go. The entire GOP is compromised.

[Aussie105]

37. The GOP has never been the party 'For the people, by the people'.

It has always been for the interests of the top end of town.

So cutting healthcare for some and cutting taxes for the top end of town is nothing unusual for them.

Dems have run out of time to say NO! to the GOP, after decades of GOP-isms, if they cave in now all is lost.