Senate Stalemate Deepens as Shutdown Drags into Third Week

The Senate adjourned Friday without a breakthrough on the government shutdown. As both parties refused to compromise on a short-term funding bill and the future of Affordable Care Act tax credits. Lawmakers will return Tuesday after the Columbus Day break. Leaving millions of federal workers including military personnel facing delayed paychecks.

Late Thursday, senators advanced the $925 billion National Defense Authorization Act in a bipartisan vote. Marking one of their final acts before the recess. Despite discussions about voting on competing continuing resolutions (CRs) from House Republicans and congressional Democrats, neither proposal reached the floor. While both were expected to fail for the eighth time.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he will continue pushing the GOP’s CR to test Democratic unity next week. So far, only three members of the Democratic caucus have consistently broken ranks. Behind-the-scenes talks have failed to produce any progress on the key sticking point expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies.

“The ACA issue is important to a lot of us, not just to Democrats,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “The tax subsidies were enhanced during COVID. They do need to be reformed, but they also need to be extended.”

Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who has been meeting with Democrats, admitted little movement has occurred. “If it continues the way it’s gone, the longer we go, the harder it is,” Mullin said. “Anything to do with ACA or healthcare gets very difficult the longer this thing goes on.”

The GOP aims to pass a stopgap CR extending funding through Nov. 21. While Democrats insist that ACA subsidies must be addressed first. Their return next week guarantees missed military paychecks. As Monday is the final day for payroll processing. “If folks miss a paycheck, the intensity will go up,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

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Despite growing frustration, most Republicans remain opposed to using the “nuclear option” to end the filibuster. “There’s always a lot of swirls out there, but no, we’re not having that conversation,” Thune said. Still, some within the party are reconsidering. As their plan continues to fall short by five votes.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, argued that if the shutdown drags on, the GOP may need to take drastic action. “Fifty to sixty percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck,” Moreno said. “We’re going to trip that wire next week. If there’s another missed paycheck, that’s probably 80%. We must look at it then.”

Republicans also hit back at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Who told Punchbowl News that “every day gets better for us” politically as the shutdown continues. “Who is ‘us’?” asked Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. “Not the military who aren’t getting paid. Not the Border Patrol. Not the air traffic controllers. Who is he talking about?”

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, dismissed the GOP criticism. Calling it a distraction from what he said was “a 114% increase in premiums”. That could occur if ACA credits expire. “They’re desperate to change the news cycle,” Schatz said.

As both parties dig in, the shutdown shows no sign of ending. Frustration in Washington is only growing.