Democrats Furious as Eight Senators “Break Ranks”

On the night of November 10, the U.S. Senate voted 60–40 to approve the spending bill, overcoming major Democratic opposition. The bill, proposed by Republicans, did not include an extension of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare — a key Democratic demand in past negotiations.

The eight Democratic senators who crossed party lines argued that it was the best deal possible under current conditions. Still, many within their party were furious, saying Democrats gained little after more than a month of political standoff.

Senator Chris Murphy admitted he shared the frustration of his colleagues, saying, “There’s no way to justify this. You’re right to be angry — I’m angry too. This is not the path I wanted, nor the path most Americans want.”

At a press briefing, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire — one of the Democrats who voted in favor — explained her decision as a practical move, noting that “waiting another week or month would not have changed the outcome.” Shaheen, who is retiring soon, said she accepted the deal after Republican Leader John Thune promised a future vote on ACA tax credits in December.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia echoed that sentiment, saying Democrats needed to “adjust their strategy” after 40 days of shutdown, adding that the bill would protect federal workers from further layoffs and pay freezes.

Despite their explanations, many Democrats saw the move as a betrayal. Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton accused the eight senators of “betraying the American people” by compromising with Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also condemned the deal, saying House Democrats would not support any spending bill that failed to renew Obamacare subsidies.

The backlash even reached personal levels — Senator Shaheen’s daughter, Stefany Shaheen, a congressional candidate, publicly opposed the very deal her mother supported, saying, “We must end the shutdown and protect ACA tax credits at the same time. Without both, there is no deal.”

Prominent Democratic governors, including JB Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California, criticized the senators’ decision as a “surrender,” accusing Republicans of driving up healthcare costs for middle-class families.

Some Democrats even called for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down, blaming him for failing to keep his caucus united. Schumer, however, defended his position, saying Democrats had “made healthcare a top national issue again” and raised awareness of “the growing healthcare crisis under the Trump administration.”

Meanwhile, Senator John Fetterman criticized his own party for using the shutdown as leverage, apologizing to government workers, SNAP recipients, and Capitol Police who went unpaid for weeks. “This should never have happened. It was a failure,” he said.