Congress Struggles to Resolve Shutdown Ahead of Crucial Vote

Sat Oct 11 2025 05:54:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid partisan strife, the US Congress faces a critical moment as leaders on both sides blame one another for the ongoing government shutdown, with a pivotal vote looming.

As the US government shutdown stretches further into the week, congressional leaders remain divided on resolving the issues at hand, primarily focusing on healthcare funding. House Democrats led by Hakeem Jeffries accuse Republicans of misrepresenting their intentions, while Republicans, particularly Mike Johnson, claim Democrats are not negotiating in good faith. With public opinion souring on both parties, the Senate prepares to reconvene with the hope of advancing a funding bill that could reopen the government.

Democratic and Republican leaders remain far apart on how to end the partial shutdown of the US government as another day of voting approaches on Monday.

In separate Sunday interviews with NBC's Meet the Press, the House's top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and its Republican leader Mike Johnson each blamed the other's party for the continued stand-off, which will head to its fifth day on Monday.

The key dividing issue has been healthcare. Democrats want to ensure health insurance subsidies for those on low income do not expire, and aim to reverse cuts to the Medicaid health programme.

A bill to fund the government has passed the House but has repeatedly failed in the Senate.

Jeffries accused Republicans of lying about Democrats' intentions in the negotiations because they're losing the court of public opinion.

But Johnson said Democrats were not serious and negotiating in bad faith - they're doing this to get political cover.

The Senate is expected to reconvene on Monday afternoon and once again take up a pair of continuing resolutions to fund the government. Meanwhile, House Democrats will meet on Monday to discuss the situation.

Johnson has extended a House recess through the week, meaning Congress' lower chamber will not be in session to take up a funding bill should the Senate make any changes and come to a deal.

Republicans hold a narrow majority of 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate, but any funding measure will require 60 votes to pass.

In his interview with NBC, Johnson argued that Democrats' refusal to approve a short-term spending bill that kept funding at current levels was unnecessary. The healthcare tax credits at issue do not expire until the end of the year, he said, and a Democratic proposal would add too much new spending in a seven-week stopgap measure.

We have plenty of time to figure that out, he said.

He also contended that the tax credits would not help address what he claims are major problems with healthcare policy, including illegal aliens and able-bodied young men without dependents using Medicaid.

Some Republicans, including Vice-President JD Vance, have characterized the Democrats' position as trying to give healthcare benefits to illegal aliens. Democrats have denied those claims, stressing that illegal or undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the schemes they are supporting, according to BBC Verify.

Jeffries articulated that Democrats perceive the consequences of the expiring credits as dire.

We are standing up for the healthcare of hard-working American taxpayers, he stated. If Republicans continue to refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credit, tens of millions of American taxpayers are going to experience dramatically increased premiums, copays, and deductibles.

Jeffries criticized US President Donald Trump's management of the shutdown and his social media remarks aimed at Democrats, saying that behavior is outrageous.

We need serious leadership, he added.

Moreover, he indicated that Republican leaders had ceased communication with Democrats and accused them of negotiating in bad faith.

As Democrats, our view is that we will find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues to reopen the government, to actually pass a spending bill that meets the needs of the American people, Jeffries expressed. But we must decisively address this Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating hard-working American taxpayers.

Americans Blame Both Parties

New polling data from CBS, the BBC's US news partner, indicated that Americans view both parties' handling of the shutdown unfavorably, with Trump also receiving a negative reception.

The survey reported that 80% of the nearly 2,500 Americans polled were very or somewhat concerned about the shutdown's effect on the economy. Only 23% of those surveyed deemed the Republican stance worthy of a shutdown, while 28% felt the same about the Democrats' position.

The polling reflected that voters largely blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for the impasse (39%), while 30% held Democrats accountable and 31% placed blame on both sides.

As the shutdown drags into its second week, its consequences are starting to accumulate. On Saturday, The National Gallery of Art announced it would have to close its doors due to lack of funding.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to utilize the shutdown to implement sweeping layoffs across the federal government and cut agencies and services he claims are vital for Democrats.

The specifics of these potential cuts have yet to be disclosed. The president maintains it presents an opportunity to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud. Billions of dollars can be saved.

Johnson responded to inquiries regarding the threats in his Sunday interview, stating he had not seen details but acknowledged the situation was regrettable and unwelcome from the president's perspective.

I want Chuck Schumer to do the right thing that he's done throughout his 30-plus year career in Congress and vote to keep the government open, Johnson remarked, adding that, as long as the government remains stalled, the White House would have to make tough decisions.