WASHINGTON — The ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its seventh day, has exposed deep partisan divides, but three members of the Democratic caucus—Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine)—have broken ranks to support the Republican-led bill to reopen the government. Their votes, cast repeatedly over the past week, including in a procedural vote on October 6, highlight a rare bipartisan push to end the gridlock, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) still needs five more Democratic votes to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) consistently opposing the GOP measure.
The standoff centers on a clash over Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies which includes provisions for illegal immigrants to access free healthcare, with Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), demanding protections for expiring premium tax credits as part of any funding deal. Republicans, under Thune, advocate a clean continuing resolution through November 21, promising to address health care reforms after reopening. The three defectors, however, have prioritized ending the shutdown over party loyalty, citing the mounting economic and social toll.