Top Senate Dem Acknowledges Deal to End Shutdown Relies on GOP Leader Keeping His Word

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the number two Democrat in the chamber, addressed the controversial deal to reopen the government that he joined seven of his colleagues in voting with Republicans to pass on Sunday night.

“After lengthy negotiations, an agreement was reached with the Republican Senate leader, John Thune. We will agree to open the government until January 30th, 2026. During that time, we will pass three bipartisan appropriation bills that will fully fund SNAP, WIC, and all the veterans’ programs and finish our work on the remaining spending bills for this fiscal year,” Durbin said, adding:

The agreement would also reverse the Trump administration’s mass firing during the shutdown and prevent future ones through January 30th. We credit Senator Kaine of Virginia for this provision. Leader Thune has also promised the Democrats an opportunity before mid-December to present a Democratic bill on the floor with proposals to change the law and protect American families from dramatic health care premium increases. It is my fervent hope that this ends up being a bipartisan effort. It would be such an achievement for the Senate to finally return to that status. I’ve served in the Senate for 29 years, and I’ve never seen that kind of offer from a Senate majority.

“During the historic roll call last night, I walked across the aisle and met with Senator John Thune, the Republican leader. I told him that I was counting on him to keep his word on this agreement. He assured me he would,” Durbin said, noting that the deal relies on Thune’s good faith. Durbin concluded:

The fate of this effort depends on both the Senate and the House of Representatives. After a seven-week absence, Speaker Johnson needs to call his members back and join us in the hard work that lies ahead. Many of my friends are unhappy. They think we should have kept our government closed indefinitely to protest the policies of the Trump administration. I share their opposition to this administration but cannot accept a strategy which wages political battle at the expense of my neighbor’s paycheck or the food for his children. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Senate Democrats have been under fire on Monday from the left as many in their base accuse them of buckling to the Republicans without securing Obamacare funding to keep Americans reliant on the program covered.

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