Key Senate Dems On Verge Of Cracking, Ending Government Shutdown
Published 16 hours ago
on October 20, 2025
By Chris Powell
After nearly three weeks of gridlock in Washington, new signs suggest that moderate Senate Democrats may finally be ready to break ranks and vote to reopen the federal government. With public frustration mounting and economic pressures intensifying, the long-running standoff that began October 1 could be nearing its end.
The shutdown began after Senate Democrats blocked a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) that would have kept the government funded without additional spending measures. Instead, Democratic leadership pushed for a $1.5 trillion package stuffed with progressive priorities, triggering a funding freeze that’s left hundreds of thousands of Americans in limbo.
But the political winds may now be shifting. Following last weekend’s “No Kings” rallies — massive progressive protests that swept major U.S. cities — White House officials believe the momentum that once energized the left is starting to fade. “There’s sort of cracks in the Schumer armor,” said Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council. “I think the Schumer Shutdown is likely to end sometime this week.”
Hassett’s remarks on CNBC came amid growing reports that key moderates such as Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Angus King (I-ME) are increasingly uncomfortable with how the shutdown is playing out. The longer it drags on, the more voters — including independents and moderate Democrats — appear to be blaming their party’s leadership.
The effects of the shutdown are being felt nationwide. Roughly 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay. Military families are feeling the strain, TSA lines are growing longer by the day, and air travel disruptions have soared — with more than 53,000 flight delays tied to staffing shortages.
Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, reaffirmed that “Americans struggling is not good,” signaling the administration’s intent to stay firm on a clean funding bill while framing Democrats as the party responsible for unnecessary hardship.
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