Senate Democrats block GOP continuing resolution again
Senate Democrats again blocked the GOP continuing resolution in a 54–44 vote on Oct. 3, 2025, extending the government shutdown as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly criticized President Trump and Republicans. With Sen. Rand Paul opposed, Majority Leader John Thune would need at least eight Democratic‑caucus votes to pass the bill; three Democratic‑caucus senators — John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King — had broken with their party to back the measure, though King said he might reverse without more specificity on extending expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, and Sen. Susan Collins has circulated a plan to pledge post‑reopening talks on those credits while House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will not be in session next week.
📌 Key Facts
- Senate Democrats blocked the GOP continuing resolution again, rejecting the measure to end the government shutdown in a 54-44 vote on Oct. 3, 2025.
- PBS/Associated Press published on-camera video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivering remarks criticizing President Trump and Republicans following the failed vote.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House would not be open for legislative business next week.
- Senate math is tight: Majority Leader John Thune would need at least eight Democratic-caucus senators to join Republicans to pass the bill, in part because Sen. Rand Paul consistently votes against the GOP proposal.
- Three Democratic-caucus senators broke with the party and supported the GOP measure — John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King — and Angus King is publicly considering reversing his support, saying he requires "more specificity about addressing the problem" of expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
- Sen. Susan Collins has circulated a preliminary plan that would commit lawmakers to discussing extensions of ACA premium tax credits after the government reopens.
📚 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 (3)
- 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.
- 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.