Shutdown proposal pits Democrats' moderates and progressives against centrist Senate dealmakers

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

50% : The left flank is incensed that eight centrist senators -- none of whom face reelection in 2026 -- crafted a deal with Republicans that does not guarantee Democrats' main demand to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that will expire at the end of the year.
50% : "We need to both end this shutdown and extend the ACA tax credits," she said in a statement.
33% : Instead, there's renewed rancor over how aggressively to fight President Donald Trump and his compliant GOP majorities on Capitol Hill, with some progressives renewing their calls for Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer to step aside, even as he publicly opposes the latest deal.The left flank is incensed that eight centrist senators -- none of whom face reelection in 2026 -- crafted a deal with Republicans that does not guarantee Democrats' main demand to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that will expire at the end of the year.
30% : " Democrats' dealmakers say there was no viable alternative The Democrats who cut a deal counter that they had little choice -- that Republicans weren't budging, and the pressure of the prolonged shutdown had become untenable as the Trump administration withheld food assistance payments to low-income Americans and mandated flight delays at airports strained by a shortage of air traffic controllers. Democrats settled for a pledge from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to hold a December vote on ACA subsidies, along with assuring back pay for federal workers who've missed paychecks, among other policy details.
29% : The younger Shaheen noted House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal thus far to schedule a House vote on the ACA insurance support.
27% : Mikie Sherrill, who won by more than double Democrats' 2024 margin in her state, said victories like hers showed voters "want leadership with a backbone" who "stay strong under pressure."Instead, she said, "The Senate is on the brink of caving."Democrats' dealmakers say there was no viable alternativeThe Democrats who cut a deal counter that they had little choice -- that Republicans weren't budging, and the pressure of the prolonged shutdown had become untenable as the Trump administration withheld food assistance payments to low-income Americans and mandated flight delays at airports strained by a shortage of air traffic controllers.Democrats settled for a pledge from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to hold a December vote on ACA subsidies, along with assuring back pay for federal workers who've missed paychecks, among other policy details."This was the only deal on the table," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.Democrats pointed to Trump, after the GOP's electoral defeats, calling on Republican senators to end the filibuster and bypass the minority altogether.
17% : The younger Shaheen noted House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal thus far to schedule a House vote on the ACA insurance support."We need to both end this shutdown and extend the ACA tax credits," she said in a statement.

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