Democrats Vote To Keep Government Shuttered For Eighth Time In Row, Two Weeks In
Nearly all Senate Democrats voted Tuesday against a bipartisan effort to reopen the government as the funding shortfall reached the 14-day mark.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the vast majority of his caucus rejected a clean funding measure, arguing that Republicans needed to address rising health care costs in the government funding bill. Republicans have consistently said they would not negotiate health policy unrelated to health care until Schumer had the votes needed to end the shutdown. (RELATED: Democrats stick with Schumer after he claims ‘every day gets better’ during shutdown)
This failed vote was the eighth time Schumer led his caucus in rejecting the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House. The Clean CR contains no element of partisan politics and largely extends government funding at current levels.
Yet only two members of the Democratic caucus — Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Maine independent Sen. Angus King — joined Republicans in voting for the measure that would advance a bill to reopen the government on Tuesday. Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who has consistently voted in favor of reopening the government during the shutdown, did not vote. Only one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposed the measure. Republicans need a total of 60 votes in the Senate to end the upper chamber’s filibuster and end the shutdown.
Although Schumer expressed confidence that Democrats would benefit politically from a prolonged shutdown, the party does not yet appear to be seeing an uptick in the polls.
A series of polls suggests that voters still have more confidence in Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration on economic issues. Recent surveys have also found that more respondents blame Republicans rather than Democrats for the shutdown.
Republicans and the Trump administration hold a 4-point advantage on the economy over congressional Democrats, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll of 2,413 registered voters.
An October survey by Democratic polling firm Navigator Research found that Republicans had a 2-point advantage on the issues of inflation and cost of living and that voters favored Republicans for “getting things done” by an 11-point margin.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll taken the week before the shutdown showed voters giving Republicans a 10-point advantage in handling economic policy.
Republicans have accused Schumer of disbanding the government in an effort to improve his standing with the Democratic Party’s base voters. The minority leader faced scathing criticism from members of his party after joining with Republicans to fund the government in March.
“We’re only going to be stuck as long as a handful of Democrats decide to follow the leader and play politics rather than do the right thing on behalf of the American people and open government,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Fox News’ Harris Faulkner on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 10: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) hold a press conference on the tenth day of the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on October 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Democrats are still embarking on a long fight against the lockdown, despite a lack of funding, which is creating financial stress for millions of people who rely on federal paychecks and disrupting access to some government programs.
The Trump administration moved Friday to bolster a federal food aid program for low-income mothers and their babies by shifting $300 million in customs revenue to avoid a funding disruption.
Trump also asked War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth to identify funds to ensure active-duty military members don’t miss a paycheck during the next pay period that begins Wednesday.
“Let’s be clear: These emergency measures cannot completely undo the damage Democrats have done,” House Republican Party Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain said at a news conference Tuesday. “Sadly, while Americans suffer, Democrats celebrate.”
Mike Johnson told reporters Monday that the country is heading into one of the longest lockdowns in American history because of Democrats’ refusal to reopen the government.
The longest period of federal unfunding occurred during Trump’s first term, between 2018 and 2019. The shutdown lasted 35 days.
Caden Olson contributed to this report.
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