Senate Democrats block GOP continuing resolution again
Senate Democrats again blocked the GOP continuing resolution in a failed 54–44 vote on Oct. 3, 2025, leaving the shutdown unresolved and far short of the 60 votes needed to advance the measure — Majority Leader John Thune would need at least eight Democratic‑caucus senators because Sen. Rand Paul is opposing the bill. The vote exposed Democratic fractures (Sen. John Fetterman, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Angus King broke with their party, with King saying he needs “more specificity” on expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and may reverse), while Sen. Susan Collins circulated a plan to address the premium‑credit issue after reopening and Chuck Schumer publicly criticized Republicans and the president after the defeat.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Oct. 3, 2025 the Senate rejected the GOP continuing resolution by a 54-44 vote, with Senate Democrats blocking the measure.
- PBS/Associated Press published on‑camera video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivering remarks criticizing President Trump and Republicans after the failed vote.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House would not be open for legislative business next week following the failed Senate vote.
- Senate arithmetic is difficult for Republicans: Majority Leader John Thune would need at least eight Democratic‑caucus senators to join Republicans because Sen. Rand Paul consistently votes against the GOP bill.
- Three Democratic‑caucus senators — John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King — broke with their party in recent actions; Angus King is publicly considering reversing his support and says he needs 'more specificity about addressing the problem' of expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
- Sen. Susan Collins has circulated a preliminary plan committing to discuss ACA premium‑credit extensions after the government reopens, a proposal aimed at addressing concerns that helped prompt defections.
- Sen. John Fetterman criticized his party’s shutdown posture, calling it the 'wrong message,' said he will 'never' support shutting down the government, urged reopening the government first and then negotiating an extension of ACA premium tax credits, and framed the standoff as harming ordinary Americans.
📚 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.
📰 Sources (4)
Fetterman says Democrats sending 'wrong message' with government shutdown stance amid funding fight
New information:
- Sen. John Fetterman criticized his party’s shutdown posture on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, calling it the 'wrong message' and saying he will 'never' support shutting down the government.
- Fetterman urged reopening the government first and then negotiating over extending ACA (Obamacare) premium tax credits, adding some Republicans might agree.
- He framed the standoff as harming ordinary Americans and rejected blame‑game politics.
Government limps deeper into shutdown crisis with no deal in sight
New information:
- Explains the Senate math in concrete terms: Majority Leader John Thune needs at least eight Democratic‑caucus senators to join Republicans because Sen. Rand Paul consistently votes against the GOP bill.
- Names the three Democratic‑caucus senators who broke with their party (John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Angus King) and reports that Angus King is publicly considering reversing his support.
- Quotes Angus King directly saying he requires 'more specificity about addressing the problem' of expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
- Notes Sen. Susan Collins has circulated a preliminary plan that would commit to discussing ACA premium‑credit extensions after the government reopens.
WATCH: Schumer speaks after Senate Democrats reject latest measure to end shutdown
New information:
- PBS/Associated Press published on-camera video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivering remarks criticizing President Trump and Republicans following the failed vote.
- Article reiterates the Senate vote tally (54-44) on Oct. 3, 2025 and notes House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House would not be open for legislative business next week.