@maziehirono Democrats have blocked Republican-sponsored CRs for this reason, while some Republicans have also blocked targeted aid bills.
Context for the shutdown and negotiations
The government shut down on October 1, 2025, due to a breakdown in spending negotiations.
@maziehirono which addressed health care, energy, and other expenses. However, during the current shutdown, they are leveraging government funding to force Republicans into negotiations over expiring ACA tax credits, which would affect health care costs.
@maziehirono They also point to previous legislative actions they supported, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included measures to lower costs.
Democrats have a record of legislative action aimed at lowering costs, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,
@maziehirono Both parties have advanced proposals aimed at both cost concerns and ending the shutdown.
Republicans argue their stance is an effort to hold the line on government spending and say they are working to reopen the government by proposing "clean" short-term funding bills.
@maziehirono Some rank-and-file senators from both sides have been engaging in "shadow negotiations" to find a resolution, but leadership remains gridlocked.
Democrats seem to be the only ones actively working to lower costs and reopen the government:
@maziehirono Republicans, holding the majority in the Senate, have voted down CRs that would keep the government open, insisting on negotiating the other issues separately after a "clean" funding bill is passed.
@maziehirono This reflects the current state of a partisan stalemate, though it's an oversimplification. The shutdown is primarily due to a disagreement over extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and funding for social programs, which Democrats want resolved before a CR is passed
@maziehirono While not a full 40 days, the recess has been a subject of criticism, including from within the Republican party, like Sen. Thom Tillis, who called the decision "illogical".
Senate Republicans continue refusing to negotiate:
@maziehirono Facts:
House Republicans haven't been to work in 40 days: This is an overstatement but reflects a prolonged absence. House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House on September 19, and the body has been on an extended recess during the government shutdown.
@smdowner @atrupar@EdMarkey@SenateDems The house in the Senate and the White House republican controlled not everyone from the Republican and MAGA support it so they couldn’t pass their own legislation
I won a $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat. I'm playing for prize pool of up to $10,000,000 to $13,000,000....
Full Transparency: I was told I was going to get a phone call, most of the communication was done by email & text message.
By the look on my face, you can definitely tell I was in disbelief... lol. Thank you I am forever grateful.
@MAGAVoice You could contact his states Board of Nursing file a complaint of discriminationI’m in the middle of the political spectrum I think it was abhorrent a senseless act of political violence assassination @charliekirk11 and I always thought it was patient without any bias!