Democrats take stand to protect healthcare coverage as Republicans adjourn with negotiating

By G. A. McNeeley 

October 1, 2025 -- The Democratic and Republican proposals that would’ve funded the government beyond Tuesday, September 30, failed within The Senate during the eleventh hour, which effectively shut the government down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1. 

The federal government ran out of money after a Democratic-backed spending bill that would’ve extended health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and reversed cuts to Medicaid failed. The Republican-backed stopgap funding measure that would’ve funded the government for seven weeks also failed. 

Democrats have refused to back a Republican bill that will make it harder for Americans to afford healthcare. They’re calling for an extension of the tax credits (which are set to expire) that have made health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans, and for a reversal of cuts to Medicaid that were made by President Donald Trump. Republicans have acccused Democrats of trying to provide healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants, which the Washington Post reports is a false claim. Illegal immigrants have never been eligible for the healthcare tax credits.