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Did Democrats blink in
shutdown standoff?
12 November 2025
The longest-ever shutdown of the US Government is creeping towards its inevitable finish. What happened to end the stalemate? Democrats weighed the pros and cons and enough voted with Republicans to stop the bleeding. What are Democrats getting in return for holding out until now? The more than 4,000 federal workers that the Trump administration tried to lay off would retain their jobs and SNAP funding is ensured through September 2026. Noticeably absent are any guarantees around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, cited by Democrats as the reason they would not agree to the original funding bill in October. Republicans have agreed to hold a vote on ACA subsidies, but this does little to assuage Democratic concerns.
Over the course of this shutdown, more than a million federal workers went unpaid, 42 million Americans had disrupted SNAP payments, 10% of flights at major airports were cut, and an EY economist estimated that every week of the shutdown shaved .8% off the quarterly GDP.
As pressure built up, enough Democratic senators chose to vote with Republicans to pass the funding bill through the Senate. It now goes back to the House, but without the threat of a filibuster, it will face fewer hurdles, and the government may be back open by the end of the week. However, this funding bill is only a three-month stopgap measure, meaning Congress will be forced to land another funding agreement in January or face another shutdown.
Ultimately, it seems there were no winners in the shutdown showdown. Democrats failed to secure any concessions they could not have gotten a month ago and Republicans never shook the blame for the shutdown in the eyes of the public. Going into the next budget debate, Democrats will need to prove they are not feckless and Republicans will not be inclined to make concessions since they have avoided doing so thus far. This debate in January will set the stage for the November 2026 midterms – where, as last week’s elections indicate, cost of living will likely be the dominant issue.
Mari Koeck
Director of Engagement and Impact
Lead photo: US Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters after the Senate passed legislation to reopen the government on 10 November 2025. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history.
(Photo by Andrew Harnik forGetty Images)
Mr. President, after 40 long days,
I’m hopeful that we can finally bring
this shutdown to an end.
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Upcoming events
The rise and reign of right-wing humour: How liberals lost comedy and helped Trump win
Professor Nick Marx from Colorado State University will present his paper about how liberals lost comedy and helped Trump win. Now more than ever, nearly a year into the second Trump presidency, this paper urges renewed attention to the hegemonic pull of right-wing politics on United States and Global North comedy, humour and satire.
Please join us for an event featuring Nick Marx, Professor of Film and Media Studies at Colorado State University, followed by a discussion moderated by USSC Academic Director and Senior Lecturer in American Studies, Dr Rodney Taveira.
17 November 2025
6.00-7.00pmAuditorium, The Michael Spence Building (F23) at the Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney NSW 2006
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building (H03)
University of Sydney NSW 2006