After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States is finally over. Federal employees will begin to receive their paychecks again, national parks will reopen their gates, and government services that were paused will resume. Air travel, which had become a major headache for many Americans, is expected to return to normal.
Now that the dust is settling and President Donald Trump has signed the new funding bill, a key question is being asked: What did this record-setting shutdown actually accomplish, and what was the cost? For the Democratic party, the outcome appears to be a political defeat that has left many in its ranks feeling bruised and frustrated.
A High-Stakes Gamble with Little to Show for It
Senate Democrats were the ones who initiated the shutdown. By using a procedural tool known as the filibuster, they were able to block a Republican bill that would have temporarily funded the government. They took a firm stand, demanding that any funding deal must include an extension of health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans. These subsidies are scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
However, when a small group of Democrats broke ranks on Sunday and voted to reopen the government, they got very little in return for their party’s efforts. The deal only included a promise for a future vote on the subsidies in the Senate. There were no guarantees that Republicans would support it, or that the House of Representatives would even hold a vote on the matter.
Anger and Frustration Within the Democratic Party
The result has been a wave of anger from the more progressive wing of the Democratic party. They have accused Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of either being secretly involved in the deal to reopen the government or of being an incompetent leader. Many feel that their party gave up its fight too easily, especially after recent election successes seemed to give them an advantage. There is a strong sense that the sacrifices made during the shutdown were all for nothing.
This frustration is not limited to the party’s left flank. Even more mainstream Democrats, like California Governor Gavin Newsom, have been critical. Newsom called the shutdown deal “pathetic” and described it as a “surrender.” He told the Associated Press that while he was not looking for a fight, he was not pleased that his party was still playing by the old rules while Donald Trump had completely changed the game.
As a potential 2028 presidential candidate, Newsom’s comments are a good indicator of the mood within the party. If a loyal supporter of the Democratic leadership is now expressing such strong criticism, it is a bad sign for the party’s leaders.
A Victory Lap for President Trump
For President Trump, the mood has shifted from cautious optimism to outright celebration since the Senate deadlock was broken. On Tuesday, he congratulated congressional Republicans and called the vote to reopen the government “a very big victory.” At a Veteran’s Day event, he said, “We’re opening up our country. It should have never been closed.”
Sensing the anger directed at the Democratic leadership, Trump also criticized Senator Schumer in a television interview on Monday night. “He thought he could break the Republican Party, and the Republicans broke him,” Trump said of the Senate Democrat.
Although there were moments when it seemed like Trump might be giving in, he ultimately came out of the shutdown without having to make any major concessions. While his approval ratings have dropped over the past 40 days, there is still a full year before Republicans have to face voters in the midterm elections.
What Comes Next for Congress?
With the shutdown now over, Congress will return to its normal business. Although the House of Representatives has been mostly inactive for over a month, Republicans are still hopeful that they can pass some significant legislation before the next election cycle begins.
While the new agreement funds several government departments until September, Congress will need to approve spending for the rest of the government by the end of January to prevent another shutdown. After this recent defeat, Democrats may be eager for another fight. Meanwhile, the issue of healthcare subsidies that they fought for will soon become a major concern for tens of millions of Americans who could see their insurance costs skyrocket at the end of the year. Republicans will ignore this issue at their own political risk.
