Bipartisan talks surface as shutdown enters first full day after funding bill blocked
As the shutdown entered its first full day, a House Democratic effort to pass a short-term continuing resolution — extending funding to Oct. 31 with policy riders including expanded ACA subsidies, Medicaid reversals and restored public-broadcast funding — was blocked, leaving a GOP-backed CR that would fund the government roughly flat until Nov. 21 (and includes enhanced security funding) as the alternative. Meanwhile, nearly a dozen senators were seen in bipartisan huddles on the Senate floor and leadership signaled talks may begin (Sen. Richard Blumenthal called it a “glimmer of hope” and Sen. John Thune said he expects to speak with Sen. Chuck Schumer), even as Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of prioritizing healthcare for undocumented immigrants and Schumer forcefully denied that claim.
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Government/Legislation
Government
🔍 Key Facts
- House Democrats sought unanimous consent to pass a short-term continuing resolution to extend funding to Oct. 31 that included policy riders — notably extending pandemic-era ACA premium subsidies, reversing recent Medicaid cuts, and restoring federal funding for NPR and PBS — but Rep. Warren Davidson (R‑OH) was poised to object and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R‑VA) gavelled the pro‑forma session out, ending the effort.
- The House GOP‑passed continuing resolution would fund the government roughly flat until Nov. 21 and includes roughly $88 million for enhanced security for lawmakers, the White House and the judiciary.
- Nearly a dozen senators publicly huddled on the Senate floor in what was described as the first visible bipartisan negotiations since the shutdown began; Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D‑Conn.) said "there are glimmers of hope," and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expected to speak with Sen. Chuck Schumer "in the next day or two" about opening talks.
- Senators noted the chamber will recess for Yom Kippur and is expected to return Friday, with the possibility of votes into the weekend on a continuing resolution that would extend funding to Nov. 21.
- Speaker Mike Johnson publicly accused Democrats and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of refusing to vote to end the shutdown to appease the far‑left, framed the dispute around Medicaid/ACA changes, said "44 Senate Democrats voted to reject a clean, non‑partisan, continuing‑funding resolution," and said he had discussed the issue with President Trump, who was "very bothered" by Schumer's stance.
- On air, ABC's George Stephanopoulos rebutted Johnson's claim that the Democratic proposal would make undocumented immigrants eligible for ACA subsidies; Schumer called GOP assertions a "total, absolute, effing lie." Meanwhile, White House figures Karoline Leavitt and Stephen Miller posted on X asserting Democrats wanted healthcare for undocumented immigrants and were blocking funding.
- Schumer outlined the Democratic approach during the shutdown as focused on negotiating healthcare fixes for Americans and mounting public political pressure through television, social media and protests.
📍 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.
- A GOP-led continuing resolution proposed in September 2025 would fund federal agencies through 2025-11-21, keep federal funding levels roughly flat, and add $88,000,000 in security spending for lawmakers, the White House, and the judicial branch.
📰 Sources (6)
Johnson accuses Schumer of blocking ‘real discussion’ to keep government open
New information:
- Direct on‑the‑record interview quotes from House Speaker Mike Johnson accusing Sen. Chuck Schumer of refusing to vote to end the shutdown to appease the far‑left.
- Johnson said Democrats had voted on a similar measure 13 times under the prior administration and framed the current refusal as a "selfish political calculation."
- Johnson reported discussing the issue with President Trump and said Trump was 'very bothered' by Schumer's stance.
First bipartisan shutdown negotiations surface on Capitol Hill after funding bill blocked again
New information:
- A group of nearly a dozen senators publicly huddled on the Senate floor — described as the first visible bipartisan negotiations since the shutdown began.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D‑Conn.) was quoted directly: "There are glimmers of hope, and I think they're bipartisan."
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expected to speak with Sen. Chuck Schumer 'in the next day or two,' indicating leaders may open formal talks.
- Senators noted the Senate will recess for Yom Kippur and is expected to return Friday, with the possibility of votes into the weekend on a CR that would extend funding to Nov. 21.
Chuck Schumer slams GOP's claim that Democrats want to give healthcare to illegals as an 'effing lie'
New information:
- Direct, on‑the‑record quote from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling GOP claims a 'total, absolute, effing lie.'
- Identification of specific White House figures (Karoline Leavitt and Stephen Miller) who posted on X asserting Democrats wanted healthcare for undocumented immigrants and were blocking funding.
- Schumer outlined two Democratic priorities during the shutdown: negotiating healthcare fixes for Americans and mounting public political pressure (TV, social media, protests).
Speaker Johnson, ABC’s Stephanopoulos clash over government shutdown, illegal immigrants getting healthcare
New information:
- Direct transcript-style quotes from Speaker Mike Johnson accusing Democrats of prioritizing healthcare for 'illegal aliens' over funding the government.
- Johnson's claim that '44 Senate Democrats voted to reject a clean, non-partisan, continuing-funding resolution' and his framing tying the CR dispute to Medicaid/ACA changes.
- ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos' on-air rebuttal that the Democratic proposal does not make illegal immigrants eligible for ACA subsidies, with an explicit back-and-forth recorded.
House Democrats' government funding proposal goes down in flames with shutdown deadline in hours
New information:
- Democrats sought unanimous consent to pass a short-term continuing resolution extending funding to Oct. 31 with policy riders.
- Rep. Warren Davidson (R‑OH) was identified as the Republican poised to object to unanimous consent; Rep. Morgan Griffith (R‑VA) presiding gavelled the pro‑forma session out, ending the effort.
- The article details Democrats' specific demands: extension of pandemic-era ACA premium subsidies, reversal of recent Medicaid cuts, and restoring federal funding to NPR and PBS.
- Notes the House‑passed GOP CR would fund the government roughly flat until Nov. 21 and includes about $88 million for enhanced security for lawmakers, the White House and the judiciary.