The 8 Democrats Who Crossed the AisleOn November 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted 60-40 to advance a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to end the 40-day government shutdown, funding federal operations through January 30, 2026, and including a package of three appropriations bills (for agriculture, military construction/Veterans Affairs, and the legislative branch). Republicans hold 53 seats but needed 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, requiring 7 Democratic votes (or 8 including Independent Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats). Exactly 8 Democrats broke with their party leadership—led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who opposed the measure for not directly extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies—to provide those votes, alongside all but one Republican (Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky).This bipartisan breakthrough came after Democrats had blocked the CR 14 times, demanding concessions on ACA subsidies (set to expire December 31, 2025, potentially doubling premiums for 20 million Americans). In exchange for their votes, Republicans agreed to a guaranteed Senate floor vote by mid-December on extending those subsidies for a year, protections against further federal worker layoffs during the shutdown, reinstatement of wrongfully terminated employees, back pay for furloughed workers, and restored SNAP benefits through fiscal year 2026. Critics like Sen. Bernie Sanders called it a “very bad vote” that endangers healthcare access, while supporters argued the shutdown’s harms (e.g., disrupted food assistance, airport chaos) outweighed the risks.The 8 Democrats (and 1 Independent) who voted yes on the procedural motion to advance the CR are:

The measure now heads to final Senate passage (expected soon), then the House for concurrence before President Trump’s signature. House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have criticized the deal as a “handshake compromise” but indicated some centrists may support it to reopen government quickly. This vote reflects growing centrist frustration with the shutdown’s toll, despite progressive opposition.

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