Senate Majority Chief John Thune stated he provided Democrats a possibility to deal with their largest precedence in an effort to finish the federal government shutdown — but it surely was not sufficient to finish the stalemate.
Thune, during an interview on MSNBC that aired Thursday morning, stated he has provided Democrats a vote on extending the Reasonably priced Care Act premium subsidies, however that he could not assure an consequence. Thune stated he will not negotiate on the small print of an Obamacare subsidies deal till the federal government reopens.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune speaks to reporters as Senate Republican leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures
“I’ve informed them. I stated, and I’ve stated, ‘We’re prepared to have the dialog.’ I’ve stated, ‘In the event you want a vote, we will assure you get a vote by a date sure.’ In some unspecified time in the future Democrats must take sure for a solution,” Thune stated within the interview, which was taped Wednesday.
In the meantime, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer informed reporters Thursday afternoon that Republicans didn’t provide any proposal to vote to increase the Reasonably priced Care Act subsidies, placing congressional leaders at odds because the shutdown continues.
“Look, we’re not negotiating in public. Plain and easy,” Schumer stated when requested if Thune had made the provide. “Chief Thune has not come to me with any proposal at this level.”
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters, as Senate Democratic leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Senate Democrats have been demanding fixes to well being care to keep away from a spike in premiums for a lot of low- and middle-income Individuals to unlock their assist for funding the federal government. Democrats have been unwavering of their calls for because the shutdown drags on into its sixteenth day.
The Senate on Thursday failed for a tenth time to advance the GOP’s authorities funding invoice. The Senate is anticipated to go away Washington later within the day, all however guaranteeing the federal government shutdown will final till at the very least Monday.
Along with the vote on the short-term authorities funding invoice, Thune is ready to attempt a brand new tactic later Thursday, including a procedural vote on a invoice that might fund the Division of Protection for the complete calendar 12 months and guarantee paychecks for the troops.
Thursday’s vote is a special form of vote than earlier ones associated to the shutdown. This vote begins debate on certainly one of 12 common order annual appropriations payments that hold the federal government working.
Thune has signaled that if the Senate does efficiently assist this package deal Thursday, he’ll try to affix funding payments for extra businesses to it utilizing common order on the Senate ground.
Reopening the federal government is a vital first step to proceed discussions about reforms to well being care, Thune stated on MSNBC. He dedicated to conversations, however not an consequence.
“There’s a path ahead, I imagine, but it surely has to incorporate reforms, and may I assure an consequence? No. And that is what folks need to see — assure us that that is going to move,” Thune stated. “I am unable to assure it’ll move. I can assure you that there shall be a course of and you’ll get a vote.”
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson solutions questions throughout a press convention on day 16 of the federal government shutdown, on the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 16, 2025.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Pictures
Requested about Thune’s feedback, Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated Thursday morning that no well being care outcomes may be assured.
“It isn’t potential for Chief Thune to ensure to Chuck Schumer some consequence on that, as a result of we have not completed these deliberations. I imply, that is simply so simple as it’s,” Johnson stated Thursday morning.
There may be bipartisan curiosity, Thune stated, in maintaining well being care prices down. However modifications to this system must be made, and negotiations on these modifications begin with opening the federal government, Thune stated.
Republicans have maintained they won’t negotiate with Democrats whereas the federal government is shut down. However Democrats aren’t swayed by the promise of negotiations sooner or later — pushing for an settlement that addresses well being care and likewise reopens the federal government.
“The American persons are going through probably the most devastating crises they’ve confronted when it comes to value, and we nonetheless haven’t heard crickets of any negotiation with Johnson or with Thune,” Schumer stated Thursday.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune speaks to reporters as Senate Republican leaders maintain a press convention following their weekly coverage lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 15, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Thune could not assure the shutdown would finish any time quickly. When requested by Ali Vitali if he thought it could be over by Thanksgiving, Thune did not commit.
“I hope it would not final by Thanksgiving, as a result of that is going to be lots of hurt to the American folks,” he stated.
ABC Information’ Lauren Peller contributed to this report.
