3:17Senator Bernie Sanders addresses journalists outside the Senate Chamber of the US Capitol on November 8, 2025, in Washington, DC.Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images
Eight senators who align themselves with Democrats defied party lines on Sunday and conceded the battle to prolong Affordable Care Act appropriations, which were slated to lapse at year’s end. They stated that their decision was made to resolve the governmental impasse. However, this has turned them into objectives of fierce critique, including those within their own party.
Sens. Angus King, Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Magie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen — all of whom are not facing reelection in 2026 — cast their votes on Sunday in support of a temporary funding measure that would restore governmental operations through January 30.
The 60-40 tally narrowly pushed the continuing resolution past the goal line in the Senate. The legislation still requires approval in the Republican-dominated House, as well as President Donald Trump’s endorsement, before it can take effect and provide resources to the government.
Ultimately, Democrats were unsuccessful in securing their primary demand amid the shutdown conflict: an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are scheduled to cease at the conclusion of this year. Instead, the arrangement ensures a vote on healthcare subsidies within the upcoming weeks — an offer that Senate Majority Leader John Thune had previously presented as part of a settlement over a month prior.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who has been a prominent advocate for the continuation of health care subsidies, shared a video on X on Sunday evening with the caption: "Tonight was a very bad night."
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber of the US Capitol Building on November 8, 2025 in Washington, DC.Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images
"This was a truly regrettable vote," Sanders remarked, noting that the accord "increases health care premiums for more than 20 million Americans" and "sets the stage for 15 million individuals to lose coverage under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act."
Sanders suggested that the outcomes of last week's elections — in which Democrats achieved widespread victories — illustrate that "the American populace desires us to challenge Trumpism, his attacks on working-class citizens, and his authoritarian inclinations. This is what the American people wanted. But this evening, that is not what transpired."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks to reporters following a vote on Capitol Hill on November 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images
Sanders wasn’t alone. Sen. Elizabeth Warren asserted that the party "lost" the battle regarding health care. Sen. Chris Murphy contended that there was "no way to justify" the affirmative vote.
“My concern is that Trump becomes more powerful, rather than less, as a result of this acceptance,” Murphy shared on X.
Several prominent Democratic governors, some of whom are speculated to be contemplating a campaign for the presidency in 2028, are expressing dissatisfaction with the arrangement. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz characterized the negotiations as a "profoundly disappointing outcome" where the administration overpowered Congress. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X that instead of a deal, it's an “unfulfilled promise,” and California Gov. Gavin Newsom bluntly labeled the action by Senate Democrats as "pathetic."
Even Sen. Shaheen's own daughter, Stefany Shaheen, a candidate for Congress in New Hampshire, publicly opposed the accord supported by her mother.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries stated on Monday that the party will persist in its pursuit of healthcare measures, adding that Democratic senators who endorsed the GOP strategy will need to validate their voting decisions.
"With regard to senators … they must provide an explanation for their actions," Jeffries noted during a press conference on Monday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, notwithstanding his negative vote on the Republican spending proposal, is encountering demands from within Congress to step down from his leadership role due to his failure to maintain party unity.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks on the floor of the Senate in Washington, Nov. 7, 2025.Senate TV
Certain Democrats, such as progressive Rep. Rho Khanna, are advocating for Schumer to resign from his position altogether.
"Senator Schumer is no longer effective and a replacement is needed," Khanna expressed on X on Sunday evening. "If one cannot lead the charge to prevent healthcare premiums from escalating for Americans, what cause will they champion?"
Rep. Ro Khanna is seen in the U.S. Capitol, October 7, 2025, in Washington, DC.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Democratic Rep. Mike Levin conveyed on X on Monday that "Chuck Schumer has not risen to the occasion, and Senate Democrats would be judicious to seek a different leader."
Schumer, in the meantime, has pledged to "persist in the struggle" within the sphere of health care.
The dissenting Democrats defended their affirmative votes on Sunday night, arguing that Republicans would now collaborate with them on healthcare matters.
"Following weeks of cooperative discussions, I voted today to reopen the government to resume supporting families. This agreement supports SNAP and food aid initiatives, assures payment for law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and other federal workers, reverses and prevents further recent abrupt layoffs by the president, and, vitally, establishes a viable avenue for Congress to safeguard individual health care," Hassan stated on Sunday.
“And should [a health care agreement] be unsuccessful, then the Republican Party and Donald Trump will bear the disgrace. However, the American public will discern who stands by them on healthcare and who does not, and that understanding will shape the forthcoming phase of the conflict,” Shaheen appended.
On Capitol Hill on Sunday night, Kaine, Hassan, Shaheen, Cortez Masto, and King underlined the continued critical necessity of ACA tax incentives. However, they acknowledged that the fallout from the governmental interruption was reaching unmanageable proportions. Moreover, the group conveyed that the Republicans had been "clear" regarding their refusal to engage in negotiations with Democrats on health matters while the government remained shuttered.
ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Isabella Murray contributed to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
