Sen. Durbin Defends GOP Deal to End Government Shutdown NOW

UPDATE: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has just defended his controversial vote supporting a GOP-backed plan to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, which has now lasted 41 days. Speaking on the Senate floor, Durbin addressed fierce backlash from his party, emphasizing the urgent need to restore paychecks for federal workers and support families impacted by the shutdown.

“This government shutdown has halted paychecks for thousands, causing real hardship,” Durbin stated sharply, highlighting the plight of critical federal employees like air traffic controllers. “Food pantries across my state are overwhelmed, as 42 million Americans—one-third of whom are children—are struggling without SNAP food payments,” he added.

The Senate’s vote on this bipartisan agreement, which occurred late Sunday night, is a pivotal moment for the government, reopening until January 30, 2024. The plan includes measures to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other vital assistance programs, but it has sparked outrage among progressive Democrats who feel it falls short on healthcare provisions.

Durbin, Illinois’ senior senator and the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, met with Senate Republican Leader John Thune before the vote, assuring him he relied on Thune to uphold the agreement. However, the deal does not guarantee an extension of crucial health care subsidies, a sticking point for many in the Democratic party. “I’ve served in the Senate for 29 years, and I’ve never seen that kind of offer from a Senate majority,” he remarked, referring to Thune’s promise of a Senate vote on health care subsidies by mid-December.

The fallout from this decision is significant. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker criticized the deal as “an empty promise,” voicing concerns that it would exacerbate healthcare costs for middle-class families. He stated on social media, “Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.”

While Durbin’s vote aims to restore governmental functions, it has strained relationships within the Democratic Party, especially among progressives. Senator Tammy Duckworth opposed the proposal, and other prominent Democrats, including Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, categorically rejected the agreement. Krishnamoorthi labeled it as built on “delay, deception, and empty promises,” while Kelly vowed a firm “NO” if the agreement reaches the House.

The Senate’s 60-40 vote has heightened tensions among Democrats, with some activists calling for the ouster of Senate leader Chuck Schumer, despite him voting against the deal. The dissent highlights a growing divide within the party, as moderate and progressive members clash over strategy and priorities.

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the House of Representatives to see if they will align with the Senate’s decision. The urgency of the situation is palpable—federal workers and their families await clarity on their paychecks, while the nation watches to see how this political maneuvering will shape the future of healthcare and government operations.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.